Deadly storms hit France as Paris streets flood and parliament springs a leak

Independent

2 days ago

Two people have been killed and 17 injured during torrential storms in France that toppled trees and flooded Paris streets.
The French civil defence agency said one person was critically injured in the storm, which broadly swept France after a heatwave.
The agency said power was also cut to 110,000 homes.
A falling tree killed a 12-year-old child in south-west France and a man died when his quad bike hit a toppled tree in the north west, French media reported.
The rain also caused parliament's roof to spring a leak as the prime minister was speaking.
"Have you noticed that it was raining?" Prime Minister Francois Bayrou pointed out, looking up at the National Assembly's leaking domed ceiling after delivering a speech on the Middle East as a deluge fell outside, quickly inundating Paris boulevards on Wednesday evening.
The assembly vice president Roland Lescure suspended the debate so fire officers could check out the problem.
When he restarted the session about 15 minutes later, Mr Lescure told legislators that absorbent mats were used to patch up the leak.
In the UK Thunderstorms could hit parts of the UK on Thursday as hot and humid weather looks set to continue, forecasters said.
It follows heavy showers and thunderstorms in some areas on Wednesday, with the worst of the stormy weather predicted in south-east England.
Significant rain could fall in the north and west of the country, the Met Office said.
Warm, humid air is set to linger in the south and east, with maximum temperatures of 27C in eastern England.
But temperatures are unlikely to feel 'quite as muggy', Met Office presenter and meteorologist Honor Criswick said.
'For the first part of the day, it is set to be unsettled (with) outbreaks of quite heavy rain at times, particularly across Scotland,' he said.
'But it's fairly fast moving, so by the time we reach the afternoon, particularly from the west, we're going to see the return of those bright and sunny spells.
'And behind this area of rain, a much fresher feel to the air as well.'
On Friday, forecasters said the unsettled conditions look set to continue.
According to the Met Office, rain could be heavy in the west, while the east of England could remain dry, escaping with some sunny intervals.
Parts of the south and east may also remain very warm, with highs potentially reaching 28C as the muggy air returns.
Mr Criswick said: 'For the rest of the week, we do have a ridge of high pressure building to the south, so once again pushing in a return of that warmer air.
'So, that fresher feeling day as we head into Thursday, it's going to be quite a brief interlude.
'And low pressure is never too far behind, so still some rain on the cards to finish off the week and as we head into the weekend.'