Torrential rain gushed down a stairway at Manchester Piccadilly train station during a huge storm that hit the region on Sunday night. Clips shared on social media showed the rainwater pouring down a stairwell at Piccadilly, gushing onto the platform below and onto the tracks.
Storm hits Greater Manchester
Torrential downpours fell on the Bank Holiday Sunday afternoon (August 30) across the region, with thunder and lightning also hitting parts of Greater Manchester, including the city centre. Network Rail, who manage the station, has been contacted for a comment.
The storm also forced a 'temporary show stop' at Manchester Village Pride, just around the corner from the station.
Pride events temporarily halted
Just after 6pm, thunder and torrential rain hit the city centre, with attendees forced to take shelter in bars in the Gay Village. Organisers told the Manchester Evening News that both the Sackville Gardens and Main Stage acts were temporarily halted whilst they waited for the weather to clear.
A spokesperson for Manchester Village Pride said: "Our policy is that we will not restart the show until 30 minutes after the last lightning strike." People were seen running into bars and venues along Canal Street and The Gay Village, whilst others undeterred decided to dance in the rain and splash in puddles before the weather intensified.
Weather warnings in place
Organisers also assured the M.E.N. that all necessary precautions were being taken and that they monitor weather such as thunder and lightning from 20 miles out and are overly cautious to keep attendees safe. Earlier on Sunday, the Met Office issued two separate yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms coming into effect at 11am, which together covered almost the whole of the UK. The first warning, which covered Greater Manchester and the rest of north west England, remained in place until 11.59pm.
Advice from the Met Office warned that various impacts could be seen during the thunderstorm warning including driving conditions being affected, possible delays to train services, probably some damage to a few buildings and structures from lightning strikes, some short-term loss of power, and some flooding.
