On Monday, July 21, Moscow was struck by a powerful thunderstorm, bringing with it heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds reaching up to 15 meters per second. Streets were submerged, underground passages were flooded, and transport systems were disrupted across the capital. In some parts of the city, residents even turned to floating devices to navigate the urban floodwaters.
Road Chaos as Streets Turn Into Rivers
Numerous Moscow roads became impassable due to severe flooding. Utility workers from Mosvodostok are working around the clock to clear sewers and pump water from roads, tunnels, and courtyards. However, due to the overwhelming volume of water, some areas remain flooded. Baza reports that Dmitrovskoye Highway and Shmitovsky Passage were particularly affected. In one instance, an ambulance was stranded under a bridge, with all four wheels fully submerged.
Airports Continue Operating Despite Storm
Despite the storm and warnings of severe squalls, Moscow's airports — Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky — continued to operate as usual, RIA Novosti reports. Domodedovo emphasized its “all-weather” capabilities thanks to its modern drainage system. Still, several flights were delayed or canceled due to the overnight activation of the “Carpet” airspace safety plan, causing disruptions for travelers.
Monthly Rainfall in a Single Day — and More to Come
According to city utility officials, some districts received an entire month’s worth of rain in a single day. Normal July precipitation in Moscow is around 85 millimeters, but Zelenograd registered 91 millimeters, Mitino 71 mm, the northern districts up to 47 mm, and the east about 50 mm. Rain is expected to continue throughout the day, and a yellow weather warning remains in effect.
“The heaviest rain fell in the northwest of the capital: 71.2 millimeters in Mitino, 91.6 in Zelenograd — more than the monthly average. That’s nearly a 100-liter barrel of water per square meter,” commented meteorologist Evgeny Tishkovets from Phobos.
Outlying towns were also affected: Kolomna saw 66 mm of rainfall, and New Jerusalem received 48 mm — nearly double the average for these areas in July.
Unrelenting Weather Ahead
Forecasters paint a grim picture for the coming week. “There won’t be a single day without rain,” said Tishkovets. Nighttime temperatures are expected to range from 13 to 18 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs between 20 and 25 degrees. A brief break in the rain and a rise to 26°C is only expected on Friday.
