A sudden downpour led to traffic chaos in Drammen Monday afternoon, after the heavy rain set off flash flooding and forced closure of several key tunnels. Several cars were stuck in the flooded tunnels around 4pm.
All the tunnels that move traffic under downtown Drammen were closed after police reported that several cars had “drowned” in the flooding. There were no reports of injuries.
Emergency crews were also responding to calls for help from flooded streets, cellars and businesses. The train line running from Oslo to Kristiansand and on to Stavanger, Sørlandsbanen, was also closed between Drangedal and Kongsberg because of difficult weather conditions. Railway NSB was trying to organize alternative bus and taxi transport for stranded passengers.
The rain also included lightning and thunder that hit the railroad’s signal system. The trainline running from Oslo to Gjøvik was also affected.
State meteorologists were reporting more rain throughout the week, which is the first week of summer holiday for thousands of Norwegians.
newsinenglish.no staff
