– Eurostar has cancelled all train services to and from London St Pancras on Saturday due to flooding in the tunnel, causing widespread disruption to travellers during the New Year period.

Initially, Eurostar had hoped that later services would be able to operate, but as of now, all 41 trains scheduled for the day have been cancelled. Southeastern’s high-speed services to Ebbsfleet have also been affected and have been cancelled for the remainder of the day.

Travellers have been left scrambling to rearrange their plans ahead of New Year’s Eve, with many facing severe disruptions.

Eurostar, which operates services between London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, has stated that affected customers are entitled to a full refund or the option to exchange their tickets.

The flooding in the tunnel, which connects the UK to Continental Europe, has been described as “unprecedented” by HS1, the operator of the track. Engineers worked through the night to remove the water, and while pumps and tankers are on-site, the water levels are still receding.

Southeastern has also been affected by the disruption, with no services running from St Pancras, Stratford International, or Ebbsfleet International.

This is the second major disruption to Eurostar services in recent weeks, with a “last-minute strike” by French workers causing train stoppages just before Christmas.

Separately, Thameslink services in London and the southeast of England are facing significant disruptions due to staff shortages, and Northern Rail, which covers northern England, is operating a reduced service for the same reason.

In Wales, severe weather has led to the closure of the line between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog, while trains between Swansea and Shrewsbury have been cancelled due to flooding.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for wind, rain, and snow in various parts of the UK, with potential flooding of homes and businesses and power supply interruptions. Speed restrictions are also in place on the West Highland Line due to the forecast, and some flights at Glasgow Airport have been delayed because of snow on the runway.

As the UK grapples with weather-related disruptions during the holiday season, travellers are urged to check the latest updates and consider alternative plans or delays in their journeys.