Rail operators across parts of England are preparing for possible flooding, delays and cancellations as thunderstorms follow a period of record-breaking heatwaves, coming just a week after a derailment near Lewes in East Sussex. The combination of parched, hardened ground and sudden heavy rainfall raises the risk of surface water flooding and track disruption, prompting rail bosses to warn passengers to check before they travel.

The warning follows a derailment incident at Lewes the previous week, which has heightened scrutiny of rail safety and infrastructure resilience as extreme weather patterns become more frequent. Rail operators are urging caution as storms move in after unusually hot conditions, with disruption expected on affected routes.