Weather tracker: flash floods as Europe’s heatwave ends with thunderstorms

Torrential rains hit parts of England, Italy, France and Belgium, while in China flooding leaves 18 dead

Prolonged heat across parts of northern and western Europe ended with torrential showers and thunderstorms this week.

On Wednesday, parts of southern England received up to 50-65mm of rainfall within a few hours, causing London's Gatwick airport to delay and cancel dozens of flights.