as torrential rain lashes London
London’s Victoria Station’s main entrance has flooded as torrential rain fell on the capital.
Commuters faced wading through ankle-deep water, following weeks of dry weather.
The Met Office issued an amber alert for thunderstorms across London, with more flooding predicted.
The warning, which runs from 11am to 10pm, said flooding of homes and businesses was ‘likely’, as well as damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.
Fast-flowing or deep floodwater is “likely, causing danger to life”.
Network Rail said: “Not long after 3pm this afternoon, station colleagues at London Victoria noticed flooding at the main entrance, due to heavy rainfall with large volumes of water running down the slope leading towards the eastern concourse.
“Some retail units and platforms had to be closed. Since then, platforms 7 and 8 remain closed and 19 has reopened.
“We are working to remove the water and get everything back to normal as quickly as possible.”
Commuters suggested the weather was the least of the rail network’s problems ahead of two days of strikes this week.
One said: “The biggest issue is that the trains can't operate, whatever the weather.”
Another said: “The more inconvenient thing is the tube strikes, not the weather. Rain or shine, people still travel to work.”
This downpour follows what the National Drought Group declared a drought in southern areas last week.
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