Heavy rainfall near the southern French city of Montpellier has unleashed widespread flooding, which local officials say could be the worst they have seen in 30 years.
Flooded streets in Montpellier, southern France, after the river Lez bursts its banks due to heavy rain
Severe weather warnings remain in place in the Hérault region, including in the city of Montpellier seen hereImage: Sylvain Thomas/AFP
Torrential rains set off “exceptional flooding” near the French city of Montpellier, local authorities said on Wednesday.
The floodwaters appear to be receding, but weather alerts are to remain in place until December 24.
No casualties have been reported so far.
What we know about the flooding in southern France
Almost 1,000 homes were left without electricity on Monday evening in the department of Hérault on the south coast, including 520 in Montpellier where parks, gardens, cemeteries, the local zoo and the Christmas market remain closed.
Public transport routes were partly closed off, too, and the prefect of Hérault, Chantal Mauchet, said getting around the region remained difficult.
The highest water levels in the region were recorded just to the south of Montpellier in the coastal town of Agde, where the River Hérault reached more than 11 feet, leading to what forecasters said was likely the worst flooding the region had experienced since November 1994.
Local residents posted footage of flooded promenades along the banks of the river – but no major damage or human casualties were reported.
The French flood warning service Vigicrues reported “exceptional flooding” and issued a red flood warning for the Hérault department – plus orange warnings for the surrounding departments of Aveyron, Lozère and Tarn.
