People have described their fear and surprise after a burst water main flooded a busy shopping street.

A large section of Green Lanes in Harringay was immersed in shin high water yesterday afternoon when a burst water main flooded the road and pavement.

Thames Water was made aware of the incident at around 5pm and sent staff to the junction of St Ann’s Road and Green Lanes to address the issue.

The London Fire Brigade also attended to provide assistance, including giving piggy back rides to stranded pedestrians.

Filiz Yavuz, 19, of Lordship Lane, Tottenham, was passing through Green Lanes on a bus as the water engulfed the street.

She said: “It was like being in the sea; people were walking around without their shoes on. The water was really high and it looked like the cars were swimming in it.

“The water was everywhere and was going into the shops. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen anything like that”

Many businesses along Green Lanes between Turnpike Lane and The Salisbury Pub were forced to close early or faced disruption due to the flooding.

Beautician Eser Ozatasoy, 33, was working in Mehmet’s Hair & Beauty as the flood reached its height.

She said: “I was shocked and surprised as the water came right up to the shop front and almost inside, my clients were arriving in bare feet, I couldn’t believe it.

“It was quite scary and a bit annoying as I had clients cancelling and it was a nightmare getting home.

“I was a bit worried coming into work today but thankfully it’s all been sorted now.”

Yusuf Kose, manager of Global Food Centre in Green Lanes said: “It was a bit upsetting for me as I had to close early and was concerned for my business

“Although it was funny to see people taking pictures of them and their children in the water and the firemen carrying people on their backs to get them across the road.”

Some saw the lighter side and took the opportunity to put their wellies on and play.

Many took to social media to express their surprise at the short lived Green Lanes river and share images its extent.

Newly re-elected MP for Tottenham David Lammy joined the discussion on social media. He tweeted: “Terrible flooding on Green Lanes near Turnpike Lane station, I’ve asked Thames Water to attend ASAP #Tottenham.”

The flooding had completely disappeared by this afternoon but the road surface and pavement are stained from being immersed in the water.

A spokesman for Thames Water said: "We repaired the water pipe and are now finishing off the work to get it back in service. 

"We apologise for the disruption by the lane closure (on Green Lanes) until this is all finished."