France Experiences Over 35 Days of Prolonged Rainfall

France Experiences Record-Breaking Streak of Rainfall

A prolonged period of rainfall has affected France for over 35 consecutive days, according to data from Meteo-France. This marks a new record for the country since measurements began in 1959, surpassing the previous record set in 2023.

Four departments in western France have been placed under red alert due to the risk of flooding. The situation is expected to worsen with the arrival of Storm Pedro, which is forecasted to impact swaths of Western Europe.

Lucie Chadourne-Facon, director of flood alert service Vigicrues, stated that the new rainfall could exacerbate existing floods. In response, the mayor of Bordeaux, Pierre Hurmic, activated the city’s emergency plan for the first time since 1999.

In the western town of Chalonnes-sur-Loire, a missing person was reported after his canoe capsized on Tuesday evening. Senior official Francois Pesneau confirmed the incident.

Nine departments have been placed under orange alert, the second-highest level of warning. According to Chadourne-Facon, drier weather is expected from Friday, but she noted that “the end of the rain does not mean the end of the flooding.”

Source: Al Jazeera