One of the houses damaged when the canal burst its banks

Three homes were evacuated in Gilwern, near Abergavenny, after the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal breached at around 0730 BST on Tuesday

Local councillor Simon Howarth said people who lives near canals should be concerned over other possible leakages.

British Waterways said the canals were regularly inspected.

A torrent of mud and water swept into homes near the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal causing families to flee.

One eyewitness described the landslide as a "terrible scene," with water running down the hill onto a main road.

Firefighters and British Waterways worked to secure the waterway, and all roads in the area were closed.

They are lucky they're safe. They have two children aged around nine or ten and so I'm sure it was scary for them Councillor Simon Howarth on one of the evacuated families

Mr Howarth, an independent councillor who represents Gilwern, said the incident could have been "catastrophic" and could have killed people if they had been walking along the canal when it burst its banks.

"It could have happened on a summer's day with lots of people out and about by the canal. It was lucky nobody was seriously injured," he said.

"I'm calling for British Waterways to tell us what went wrong - if that stretch of canal will be prone to leakage. I want to make sure an investigation of that bank is carried out.

"It could be an issue elsewhere. Canals are so old they're not constructed how they would have to be constructed now. Who know what happened here?

"How many banks of canals are leaking that we don't know about?"

The families who were evacuated were initially taken to Gilwern community centre before being given alternative accommodation. It could be many months before they can return to their homes.

The scene after the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal burst

Engineers from British Waterways have been examining the damage to the 200-year-old canal, and have carried out temporary work to stop the flow of the water.

A spokeswoman said canals across the UK are checked depending on their age and areas of vulnerability - ranging from monthly visual inspections to thorough structural examinations every 10 years.

Gwent Police have advised motorists to take alternative routes and to use the A40 if possible as the A4077 between Gilwern and Llangattock remains closed.

A spokeswoman for Monmouthshire Council said: "The site itself has now been made secure and interim measures have been put in place to prevent further slippage. The public are strongly advised not to approach the site.

"Detailed surveys are currently underway by all organisations involved and because it is early days no definite information is available."