Part of Wellington Railway Station has looked more like a swimming pool today

Heavy rain has been drenching the capital, sending a deluge down the steps of the pedestrian subway.

NZME's Mark Mitchell has been told a manhole halfway up the stairs popped.

He says the water was ankle deep at its peak.

The water has now been mopped up.

A severe weather watch is in force for Wellington.

MetService meteorologist Tui McInnes says the capital has had 32 millimetres of rain between 5 and 11am.