Update 2: Traffic calming down

Updated 11 a.m.

Many arrived late for work this morning as a heavy downpour caused huge traffic jams during the rush hour up to around 10.45 a.m. as well as some flooding, but no serious incidents. Traffic was clearing down at around 11 a.m.

This morning's rainfall was nothing out of the ordinary. According to the Met Office's Charles Galdies, a total 19mm of rain fell in the 24 hours starting at 11 a.m. yesterday. The maximum rainfall rate was 14mm per hour at 8 a.m., just one millimetre over the average rate for February.

Mr Galdies said that the highest rainfall rate this year - 16mm per hour, was registered on January 21. On February 7, 1976, a rainfall rate of 36.4 mm per hour was registered.

At 10.15 a.m. traffic was still blocking Psaila Street, Birkirkara, Hamrun, Regional Road, Marsa and Msida towards Birkirkara. Access to the Sta Venera Tunnels was painstakingly slow as was in the road leading to the airport. The traffic from Msida towards Valletta was clear despite an unbearable stench of sewage. Sewage also overflowed at Naxxar Road, Lija.

Problems were especially serious in the south, with one motorist stuck in his car telling timesofmalta.com that it had taken him 45 minutes to drive along Tal-Barrani Road to Sta Lucija roundabout.

Also stuck in traffic for a long time were a number of public transport buses.

Earlier, the Civil Protection Department urged motorists to avoid low lying flood-prone areas such as Birkirkara, Marsa and Qormi.

Some cars stalled in those areas because of the rainwater.

See also

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waFuZ-IPuaA