Torrential downpour FLOODS London as water gushes into Tube stations, strands motorists (VIDEOS)

Heavy rainfall has shut down parts of London, with video footage showing water cascading through the streets and into Tube stations in the UK capital. With some streets impassable, cars were submerged in the flood.

The heavens opened up on London on Monday afternoon, after the Met Office warned of “heavy downpours” in the south of England. Streets were soon turned into rivers, as water lapped into stores and forced pedestrians to slog through knee-high floods to get home.

Video footage showed vehicles nearly submerged in the floodwaters, as traffic slowed to a crawl on waterlogged thoroughfares.

Those relying on public transport were out of luck too, as some London Underground services were reportedly halted by the downpour. Video footage shot in one Tube station showed water pouring down to platform level.

Amid the disruption, London Fire Brigade said it had received more than a thousand calls by 8pm. The fire service advised Londoners to “only call us if there is a genuine emergency,” and to “avoid walking or driving through flood waters.”

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