Adds details - The Civil Protection Department has sounded the all clear after having issued three warnings this morning urging people to keep off the roads because of dangerous conditions caused by heavy rain.

Earlier today, the department had urged people not to travel, unless absolutely necessary, as heavy rain turned roads into rivers, dragging cars in several localities notably Balzan, Qormi, Birkirkara, Siggiewi and Msida. Several homes in low lying areas were also flooded, as was an undertaker's shop in Qormi, where coffins floated out with the water into the valley. (See separate story and pictures)

No injuries were reported, but rescuers of the CPD and the AFM had a busy time rescuing drivers from stalled vehicles. Soldiers from 3 Regiment and workers from the Public Cleansing Department have started clearing the roads from debris, including stones from many rubble walls that collapsed, notably in the Rabat area.

The overnight storm delayed the departure of at least nine flights as crew and passengers could not reach the airport on time (see separate story).

Earlier in the morning, the police also warned motorists to avoid Msida, Birkirkara Valley Road, Burmarrad and Qormi.

But despite the warnings for people not to travel - the first of which was issued before 7 a.m., there were traffic jams in several localities.

Readers also reported flooding at Swieqi near the Sunrise Restaurant, where the water on the road was almost a metre high. At Balzan, a reader said he had seen cars floating down the valley. Further 'upstream' at Lija near Bathroom Design, the force of the water lifted the heavy manhole covers. A woman was reported to have slipped at a bus stop and was carried several metres by the water before managing to make it to a pavement.

The rainwater also blocked the road at Gzira seafront. As on previous occasions, the area near the roundabout opposite Mater Dei Hospital was flooded, making access to the hospital difficult.

In most localities minibuses did not pick up schoolchildren. Many schools called off lessons when teachers did not turn up. Children were sent back home. Birkirkara primary school's ground floor was flooded by the rainwater.

Video shows the scene at Swieqi last night (Footage by Yannis Azzopardi) and the scene in Birkirkara. mynews@timesofmalta.com

See also the scene at Msida last night at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9v1JL3_jAU&sns=em