Athens flooded by rainfall

Several hours of heavy rain and a thunderstorm in the Greek capital Athens have flooded roads and homes, caused traffic jams and disrupted the train and tram network, officials say, BBC reports.

The deluge inundated basements and forced authorities to close underpasses and a central subway station. The fire department said it had received at least 600 calls to drain water from houses and businesses.

Many of the city's streets remain ankle-deep in water.

"It was one of the worst thunderstorms we have ever had in the greater Athens area [since 1961]," fire department chief Sotiris Georgakopoulos told NET state television.

At one point the rainfall was so intense that parked cars were swept away by racing waters.

No injuries have been reported so far.