Several UK flights cancelled as Hurricane Gonzalo strikes

LONDON: Several flights were cancelled at Britain's biggest airport Heathrow as the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo struck the country today bringing gale force winds and heavy rains.

Heathrow Airport said 10 per cent of flights with the 20 biggest carriers into and out of London were cancelled.

Indian airlines such as Air India and Jet Airways, however, reported no disruptions and said they were "operating on time".

The tail end of Hurricane Gonzalo, which caused widespread damage in Bermuda this week, arrived in Britain today bringing gusts of up to 70mph in north Wales.

A Met Office low-level yellow wind warning remains in place for much of the UK.

Weather forecasters predict the worst of the storm will affect commuters during rush hour today and gradually die down in intensity as the day progresses.

No major train disruptions have been reported except minor delays on some networks.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "We are deploying chainsaw gangs across affected areas. Hundreds of engineers are on standby. We are checking all flood pumps operational in areas with at risk from flooding and have cross-industry conference calls with rail operators through the day and night."