French president Hollande to declare state of natural disaster

The heavy rains caused the Seine in Paris to rise more than 6 metres above its typical level by Thursday evening, flooding the lower embankments and shutting several roads, although it caused no significant damage.

The level is still far from the record of 1910, however, when the river rose 18 metres above its regular level.

Floodwaters in Paris are forecast to peak today with the River Seine due to reach 6 metres above its normal level, with even more downpours forecast through the weekend.

City authorities advised people to stay away from the banks of the river and part of Paris’s commuter train system that runs below ground along the Seine was shut as a preventive measure, the New York Times reports.

The world-famous Louvre and Orsay museums have been shut so staff can move priceless artworks to safety. The rainfall also disrupted the French Open, where several tennis matches have been postponed.

On Thursday, French president François Hollande said that the rainfall and floods were “very serious” and linked them to global warming.

“When there are climatic phenomena of this seriousness, we must all be aware that we must act globally,” he said.

“The government will declare a state of disaster for affected areas, enabling residents and businesses to receive special insurance compensation,” he added.

About 19,000 homes in France were still without power on Thursday evening, and French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said that an estimated 20,000 people had been evacuated.