In brief
At least three people have died and numerous others have been impacted by devastating floods in the French Riviera region, with heavy rains causing destruction and dangerous conditions.
At least three individuals have lost their lives due to severe flooding triggered by relentless heavy rainfall and storms that began affecting southern France on Monday. Local authorities confirmed the discovery of an elderly couple in the coastal town of Le Lavandou, while another individual tragically died trapped in a vehicle in Vidauban during the storms.The torrential rains have caused extensive disruptions across the region, leading to flooded streets and impacting water and electricity services. Reports indicate that a couple attempted to evacuate their residence but were overwhelmed by the sudden surge in water levels. The prosecutor’s office in Toulon opened an investigation following these tragic events.“I am shocked by the extent of this natural disaster that has struck the Cavalière district this morning,” stated officials in Le Lavandou, noting a staggering 256mm of rain fell in just one hour in the town, which is popular among holidaymakers along the Riviera. Local mayor Gil Bernardi referred to the phenomenon as “truly violent and incomprehensible,” and described the destruction, including uprooted roads and broken bridges.As of Tuesday, Le Lavandou continued to experience electricity and water outages, with access restricted due to flooding on the main road into the town. In Vidauban, authorities reported another fatality resulting from a car accident on a flooded road. A passer-by attempted to assist the individuals but only managed to rescue the driver.Emergency services received more than 500 calls from the Var region within the past 24 hours, leading to several hundred rescue personnel being dispatched, including teams from cities like Cannes. Although Var was initially under severe weather warnings for thunderstorms and flooding, these were later downgraded. More than 600 households continue to be without power, as the impact from the storms persists. Additionally, disruptions have been reported along the Bordeaux-Toulouse railway line, with train services facing cancellations for the coming days.
