Paris floods: Shocking drone footage shows extent of River Seine surge | London Evening Standard

Paris floods: Shocking drone footage shows extent of River Seine surge

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Shocking footage shot from the skies above Paris shows the extent of rising water levels in the French city as the River Seine continued to surge.

The river is expected to hit a peak of six metres on Sunday, with riverside households and businesses preparing to tackle the flooding should its banks completely burst.

Exceptionally heavy rains have forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes as streets and basements flooded in the French capital.

The drone footage, released by Paris police, shows just how high the water levels have risen since torrential rain battered the city this week.

Some basements in the city have already sprung leaks and many roads in the region are already waterlogged after the rivers surged.

The Seine is usually at a height of four metres, but is expected to rise by two more metres by tomorrow.

The Zouave soldier statue under the Pont d'Alma as the Seine River overflows its banks as heavy rains throughout the country have caused flooding, in Paris (REUTERS)Reuters

Boat traffic, including the capital’s famous tourist cruises, has been halted. Seven metro stations along the river have been shut down.

The flood has also affected the Louvre Museum. France’s most popular museum, which is home to the Mona Lisa, said it will close the lower level of the Department of Islamic Arts until at least January 28.

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It has removed works from the basement level.

Roads and walking paths along the Seine have been closed. Tourists are urged to remain vigilant and stay away from the river.