London Faces Travel Chaos as Over 30 Flights Canceled Due to Severe Weather Including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic

Published on September 6, 2024

By: Rana Pratap

The Met Office issued a yellow weather alert, warning that relentless downpours will continue across London and the wider UK today, with four flood alerts now in effect. Officials cautioned that properties could flood, and travel disruptions may occur in various regions.

In London, the Environment Agency (EA) issued a flood warning along the Thames, particularly from Putney Bridge to Teddington Weir in west London, where high tide around 5:30 pm increases the risk. The EA also urged residents across London and the west of England to prepare for possible flooding.

Attributing the risk to “spring tides,” the EA advised caution and recommended residents near the Lower Avon river in south-west England “activate any property flood protection products” as necessary. With more rain expected, there are growing concerns that the Lower Avon’s water levels could rise, putting areas like Ringwood, Christchurch, and Moyles Court at greater risk.

Devon remains on alert for potential flooding on low-lying land and roads near the rivers Clyst and Culm from Friday evening into Saturday. Meanwhile, a flood alert is also active for Scrase Bridge and West Common Streams near Haywards Heath in West Sussex.

Though both rivers neared normal levels following Thursday’s “intense” rainfall, the EA warned that additional showers could cause rivers to rise rapidly, leading to potential flooding. Grahame Madge, a Met Office spokesperson, highlighted that southern England and South Wales are under particular scrutiny due to the ongoing yellow weather alert.

The adverse weather has also caused significant disruption at airports. Heathrow, the busiest airport, saw many inbound and outbound flights canceled due to weather conditions and air traffic control restrictions on Friday. Before midday, British Airways had already canceled several flights, including services to major cities like Barcelona, Stockholm, Paris, Manchester, Brussels, Oslo, Bucharest, Split, Milan, Prague, Marseille, Dusseldorf, and Nice.

As of Friday, 243 flights were delayed, and 34 were canceled at Heathrow alone. Officials also warned of potential power cuts, flooding in homes and businesses, isolated communities, and travel chaos due to lightning strikes across northern parts of the alert area. They cautioned that there is a small chance fast-flowing or deep floodwater could pose a danger to life.