WINNIPEG, Manitoba, April 16 (Reuters) - The city of Winnipeg declared a state of emergency on Thursday as flood waters rose on both the Red and Assiniboine rivers, which converge in the Canadian Prairie city's downtown.

The state of emergency was in effect only for areas along the banks of the two rivers, said City of Winnipeg spokesman James Ham. He could not estimate the size of the area covered by the state of emergency.

The declaration, signed Thursday morning by Mayor Sam Katz, gives the city authority to force residents to evacuate their homes if necessary, Ham said. He would not comment on whether there is an imminent threat.

"It's not a panic thing," Ham said. "It provides the city a chance to respond quickly to the changing flood conditions. They can take decisive action in areas of concern without delay." (Reporting by Rod Nickel; editing by Peter Galloway)

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