LONDON was brought to its knees last night as torrential rain and lightning strikes caused chaos across the city's transport network, leaving thousands stranded in flooded streets and homes. At least 400 emergency calls were made to the London Fire Brigade between midnight and dawn, with firefighters battling to keep up with the deluge.
The brunt of the flooding was felt in areas such as Twickenham and Richmond, where residents woke up to find their homes and roads underwater. Transport for London (TfL) services were severely disrupted, particularly around Heathrow Airport, where Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express services between Terminals 2 & 3 and Terminal 4 were halted due to flooding.
The London Tramlink network was also shut down temporarily between Sandilands and Elmers End/Beckenham Junction as floodwater threatened the tracks. However, all affected services have since resumed normal operations, although some stations remain closed while repairs are carried out. At Balham station, a brief closure due to flooding has been lifted, but commuters are advised to check before travelling.
Tragedy was narrowly avoided in Tooting and Enfield, where lightning strikes damaged roofs of homes and businesses. Fortunately, no one was injured in either incident. The London Fire Brigade has urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, warning that entering floodwater can be deadly.
The brigade's Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne described the night as 'very busy', with control officers, firefighters, and officers working tirelessly to address the crisis. While the worst of the rain may have passed, the LFB continues to respond to new incidents and outstanding calls as Londoners survey the damage.