In a deluge of unprecedented proportions, dozens of towns in northern France are submerged, with roads now navigable only by boats, and numerous schools shuttered, according to authorities on Tuesday.
The northern Pas-de-Calais department is facing a dire situation as two major rivers, the Aa and the Liane, have been placed on red alert for flooding. Heavy showers overnight from Monday to Tuesday exacerbated the crisis, leaving communities grappling with rising water levels.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin reported on X (formerly Twitter) that seven people sustained injuries due to the flooding, although specific details were not provided. Darmanin emphasised the magnitude of the emergency, revealing that more than 1,500 firefighters are actively mobilised in the region to address the crisis.
The recent floods come on the heels of Storm Ciaran, which battered Western Europe last week. Approximately 60 municipalities have been “impacted,” with authorities highlighting “significant” damage in the affected areas.
Vigicrues, the official river flooding watchdog, has characterised Tuesday’s floods as “exceptional.” The gravity of the situation has prompted heightened vigilance and response efforts from local authorities.
The red alert for the Aa and Liane rivers is expected to remain in place until Wednesday evening, underscoring the prolonged nature of the emergency.
