Storms cause travel chaos and flash floods

Thousands of the capital's commuters faced travel mayhem yesterday as three London Underground stations closed after torrential rain.

London saw 1.18in (3cm) of rainfall in half-an-hour, temporarily disabling parts of the Thameslink and London Underground services.

Kings Cross, Euston and Liverpool Street stations were closed as well as Green Park, Chalk Farm, Kilburn, Swiss Cottage and Willesden Green. The rain came in rush hour.

Sections of the Jubilee, Metropolitan and District lines were also temporarily closed because flooding and damage to signals. The Thameslink service through London was also badly hit and trains that were south of Bedford were being stopped at Luton.

London Fire Brigade reported 900 calls in four hours, making yesterday one of their busiest evenings ever.

Flash floods cut off many areas in other parts of the country. Some regions recorded 30mm of rain fall within a few hours and weather forecasters predicted more "unsettled weather" this week.

Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire were battling against the elements, with the rain expected to move towards East Anglia and Kent.

Jay Merritt, a spokesman for the Association of Train Operating Companies, told commuters planning to travel during today's rush hour to check for any delays before setting off.

A spokeswoman for Midland Mainline said that some of the services may be delayed this morning.