Historic flooding still affects parts of France, red alerts for flood remain in effect

After heaviest late May rainfall since records began, flooding is still affecting large areas of France, most notably the East, West, and Paris. Meteorologists warn the waters are expected to keep rising for several more days.

The River Seine has overflowed its banks in several places swamping roads and forcing people out of their homes. The flooding has claimed its first victim on June 1, an 88-year-old woman that drowned in Souppes Sur Loing, east of Paris. The town of Nemours, southeast of the capital, has been worst hit.

Two departments (Seine-et-Marne and Loiret) remain on red alert for floods on June 2, with a further eight at orange alert (Cher, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle, and Essonne).

On June 1, large-scale evacuations were conducted following the rising water levels, especially in Seine-et-Marne, in the Yvelines and the Loiret. Approximately 2 060 people were evacuated from Nemours (Seine-et-Marne) and 1 300 in Souppes-sur-Loing.

City Hall in Paris closed roads along the Seine from the Left Bank in the east to the Eiffel Tower in the west, as river levels rose at least 4.3 meters (14.1 feet).

In some regions the equivalent of one and a half months of rain has fallen in just three days changing the landscape beyond recognition, Euronews reports.

Water levels are expected to keep rising for several more days. Paris area expects the peak in the coming days.

Featured image: The town of Nemour flooded – June 2016. Credit: Euronews