North London Businesses Face Millions in Losses After Water Main Burst Floods Streets
Business owners in north London have expressed profound devastation after a burst water main unleashed torrents of floodwaters, destroying stock and inflicting severe damage to their shops. The incident occurred on Caledonian Road in Islington, where murky brown water surged through the streets at high speed, reaching depths of up to three feet within minutes.
Shopkeepers Left Helpless as Waters Rush In
Ali Ahmed, proprietor of the Alibaba convenience store, recounted the terrifying speed of the flood, which left shopkeepers with no time to salvage their inventory. He fears insurance claims could escalate into millions of pounds. "We have lost so much stock it's devastating," Ahmed said. "My basement is still being pumped out. The water came so quickly there was no time to act; it was very frightening and fierce. Now I am counting the cost."
Nearby, the Nisa Local shop was also severely impacted, with boxes of stock still floating in the basement days later. Staff member Nim Patel described the chaos: "It was crazy. My boss's car was floating as the water rose rapidly. The cleanup is a nightmare, and we have lost a lot of costly stock." The shop is not expected to reopen until at least the weekend.
Long-Term Businesses Decimated by Flood Damage
Zackaria, owner of Zac's Tailoring, lamented the destruction of his business after 17 years in operation. "It's like a river running through; there are two metres of water currently in my shop. My business is gone," he told reporters. The flooding has forced part of Caledonian Road to remain closed as a massive cleanup effort continues, with brown sludge still covering the road and many basements submerged under several feet of water.
Residents and Authorities Respond to the Crisis
A mother-of-two living above one of the affected shops described the ordeal as a nightmare, citing power outages due to safety concerns. "We weren't flooded at street level, but the mayhem has had a severe impact. It was frightening for the kids, and we were stuck inside for hours," she said.
Islington Council Leader, Cllr Una O'Halloran, expressed sympathy for those affected: "My heart goes out to the residents, businesses, and organisations impacted by this flooding. We're working with emergency services to support them and ensure a swift return home. Local people shouldn't face this level of disruption, and we're urging Thames Water to manage the situation effectively."
Thames Water's Efforts and Ongoing Challenges
Thames Water has been on-site since the incident, caused by a burst 30-inch water main. A spokesperson stated: "Our teams worked overnight and identified a large split in the pipe, along with a significant underground void. Due to health and safety, work is paused for assessment, but we're doing everything possible to resolve this quickly and safely. We understand the disruption and apologize to businesses and residents." An architect in the area noted that while his drawings suffered water damage, his business escaped relatively lightly compared to others opposite, who were badly hit.
The flooding has highlighted vulnerabilities in local infrastructure, with businesses facing long-term financial repercussions and residents grappling with safety and logistical challenges. As cleanup operations persist, the community awaits further updates from authorities and utility providers.
