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Paris on high alert as river Seine continues to rise Paris on high alert as river Seine continues to rise
(about 5 hours later)
More than 650 people evacuated from homes as forecasters warn of more rain next week About 1,000 people evacuated from homes as forecasters warn of more rain next week
Agence-France Presse in ParisAgence-France Presse in Paris
Sat 27 Jan 2018 09.59 GMTSat 27 Jan 2018 09.59 GMT
Last modified on Sat 27 Jan 2018 17.13 GMT Last modified on Sat 27 Jan 2018 22.27 GMT
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Paris remains on high alert as the swollen river Seine continues to rise, with forecasters saying water levels could stay high next week, especially if France has more rain.Paris remains on high alert as the swollen river Seine continues to rise, with forecasters saying water levels could stay high next week, especially if France has more rain.
Leaks started to appear in some basements on Friday, while some residents on the city’s outskirts were forced to travel by boat through waterlogged streets.Leaks started to appear in some basements on Friday, while some residents on the city’s outskirts were forced to travel by boat through waterlogged streets.
The Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Orangerie museums were on high alert, with the lower level of the Louvre’s Islamic arts wing closed to visitors.The Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Orangerie museums were on high alert, with the lower level of the Louvre’s Islamic arts wing closed to visitors.
A health centre in the north-western suburbs, where 86 patients were receiving care, had to be evacuated on Friday. Across the Paris region, more than 650 people have been evacuated from their homes, according to police. A health centre in the north-western suburbs, where 86 patients were receiving care, had to be evacuated on Friday. In total about 1,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in the greater Paris region, according to police, while 1,500 homes were without electricity.
The Vigicrues flooding agency reduced its peak predictions for the river in the capital, saying it would top out at 5.8-6 metres (19-20ft) between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, compared with 6.2 metres previously. However, that would still bring the Seine 4-5 metres above its normal height, causing problems for commuters and people living near its banks. The river had risen 11cm (4.3in) in 24 hours by Saturday evening, more than four metres above its normal height, causing difficulties for commuters as well as people living near its overflowing banks.
The Vigicrues flooding agency believes the river will continue to rise, peaking at 5.95 metres on Sunday night or Monday, but not quite reaching the 2016 high of 6.1 metres, when the Louvre museum was forced to close its doors for four days.
Joao de Macedo, a janitor at a residential building in Paris’s upscale 16th arrondissement, said: “There are six studios in the basement, and we’ve had to set up blocks outside to keep the windows from breaking and covering everything in water.”Joao de Macedo, a janitor at a residential building in Paris’s upscale 16th arrondissement, said: “There are six studios in the basement, and we’ve had to set up blocks outside to keep the windows from breaking and covering everything in water.”
The December-January period is now the third wettest since data collection began in 1900, according to France’s meteorological service.The December-January period is now the third wettest since data collection began in 1900, according to France’s meteorological service.
All boat traffic on the Seine in Paris and upstream has been stopped, including sightseeing boats.All boat traffic on the Seine in Paris and upstream has been stopped, including sightseeing boats.
Forecasters said the rainfall in recent days had not been enough to push the Seine beyond their expectations.Forecasters said the rainfall in recent days had not been enough to push the Seine beyond their expectations.
“We’ve been reassured, [the rain] will keep the water level high but not increase it,” said François Duquesne, of Vigicrues, though he warned of the risk of more rain next week. “We’ve been reassured, it will keep the water level high but not increase it,” said François Duquesne of Vigicrues, though he warned of the risk of more rain next week.
A main commuter line, the RER C, has halted services at Paris stops, and some key roads alongside the Seine have been closed. A main commuter line, the RER C, has halted services at Paris stations, and some key roads alongside the Seine have been closed.
ParisParis
FloodingFlooding
FranceFrance
EuropeEurope
Natural disasters and extreme weatherNatural disasters and extreme weather
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