2024-10-17 16:44:00
In parts of France, large amounts of rain are causing floods, evacuations and closed motorways and railway lines. The weather service Météo France issued the highest red warning level for six departments in the southern half of the country, and the orange warning level was declared in 34 departments. Around 900 people had to be evacuated in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and television images showed flooded highways, supermarkets and cars floating in the water.
Hundreds of firefighters were on duty and sirens wailed in many places. Initially no people were harmed. However, authorities strongly warned against venturing into flooded areas on foot or by car.
“We are dealing with a situation that has never been seen before on this scale,” said Minister for Ecological Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher. 60 centimeters of precipitation fell locally within 48 hours, which was “absolutely massive”. “This hasn’t happened in living memory.”
The minister warned: “We are collectively faced with episodes related to climate change that we will experience with increasing regularity, we must prepare for them.” A crisis team was set up in the ministry. All relevant services would be mobilized, it said.
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