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Paris readies for floods as Seine surges higher | Paris readies for floods as Seine surges higher |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Riverside homes and businesses in Paris are on high alert as the swollen River Seine threatens to overflow its banks. | Riverside homes and businesses in Paris are on high alert as the swollen River Seine threatens to overflow its banks. |
Some basements in the city have already sprung leaks after the river surged following heavy rainfall, reports said. | Some basements in the city have already sprung leaks after the river surged following heavy rainfall, reports said. |
The Seine is forecast to swell even further this weekend, adding several metres of water above its normal level. | The Seine is forecast to swell even further this weekend, adding several metres of water above its normal level. |
Many roads in the region are already waterlogged. Boat traffic - including the capital's famous tourist cruises - has also been interrupted. | Many roads in the region are already waterlogged. Boat traffic - including the capital's famous tourist cruises - has also been interrupted. |
The water level in the river is expected to peak at around 6m (19ft 6in), which is at least 4m above its normal level. | The water level in the river is expected to peak at around 6m (19ft 6in), which is at least 4m above its normal level. |
The statue of a Crimean soldier - known as the Zouave - on the Pont de l'Alma has long been used as a marker for water levels in the city. | The statue of a Crimean soldier - known as the Zouave - on the Pont de l'Alma has long been used as a marker for water levels in the city. |
On Friday, the water was at its mid-thigh - not as high as the 1910 floods, which reached his neck and submerged the city for two months. | On Friday, the water was at its mid-thigh - not as high as the 1910 floods, which reached his neck and submerged the city for two months. |
A busy commuter train service, the RER C, has been suspended until next week. | A busy commuter train service, the RER C, has been suspended until next week. |
Meanwhile, the Louvre museum has closed a lower level housing the Islamic Arts. | Meanwhile, the Louvre museum has closed a lower level housing the Islamic Arts. |
In the suburb of Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, flooding forced some residents into boats to move along the roads. | In the suburb of Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, flooding forced some residents into boats to move along the roads. |
The flooding is also forcing movement of another city resident - the rat population. | The flooding is also forcing movement of another city resident - the rat population. |
Rodents are being flushed out of the Parisian sewers, media outlet France 24 reports - making the city's rat infestation much more visible than usual. | Rodents are being flushed out of the Parisian sewers, media outlet France 24 reports - making the city's rat infestation much more visible than usual. |
The recent December-January period is now the third-wettest on record, according to France's national weather service. | The recent December-January period is now the third-wettest on record, according to France's national weather service. |
Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo said the city was coping - but said that the flooding, coupled with recent summer heatwaves, was "clearly a question of the town adapting to climate change". | Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo said the city was coping - but said that the flooding, coupled with recent summer heatwaves, was "clearly a question of the town adapting to climate change". |
She also warned that the high water levels would remain into next week, as water levels "subside slowly" due to waterlogged soil in the region. | She also warned that the high water levels would remain into next week, as water levels "subside slowly" due to waterlogged soil in the region. |
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