Floods risk in Paris rises amid persistent rains

Prolonged rainfall has increased risks of floods in many districts in France, including Paris where the Seine River continues to rise and may reach a peak of six metres at the weekend.

"During the next few days, the ongoing floods will continue to spread, generating significant overflows on many rivers in the north and east of the country," Xinhua cited government-run agency districts Vigicrues as saying on Thursday.

"The level of the Seine in Paris will keep rising until this weekend. A maximum level such as the one recorded during the flood of June 2016 is expected," it added.

The Seine, which runs through French capital, rose to 5.5 metres during the day and it could reach a peak of 6.2 meters by the weekend.

The expected water level is well below the record high of 8.6 meters reported in 1910, when thousands of Parisians had to flee flooded areas of the city.

In the French capital, the SNCF rail operator decided to close until January 31 the regional train "RER C" that runs along the river and is used by tourists to visit the capital's iconic monuments of the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

As a precautionary measure, the Louvre Museum, which stands on the banks of the river, closed the lower level of the Department of Islamic Art to the public till January 29.

French weather agency Meteo France maintained an orange alert till Friday morning in 16 departments in north and east France, where the risk of floods remains high.

In 2016, floods in Paris and central French cities left four dead and 24 injured.

--IANS

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