Heavy Rains and Flooding Close Roads and Schools in Southern France

Heavy rainfall and widespread flooding have caused disruptions in several regions of southern France, leading to the closure of many roads and the suspension of classes in numerous schools.

France’s national weather service, Météo-France, issued an orange-level warning for three departments as well as the Mediterranean island of Corsica, cautioning that heavy rain is expected to continue until Tuesday, increasing the risk of rising river levels and sudden flooding.

In the coastal city of Narbonne, residents in two areas were forced to spend Sunday night in emergency shelters as a precautionary measure, before authorities later allowed them to return to their homes after conditions slightly improved.

Authorities closed more than 40 roads in the affected areas, while classes were suspended on Tuesday in 109 schools due to dangerous weather conditions. Emergency services have so far received 72 alert calls.

Severe weather also resulted in one person being seriously injured in a flood-related incident, while areas around Perpignan are experiencing long traffic jams due to road closures and water accumulation on routes.

Despite the damage, the heavy rainfall has helped alleviate water shortages in the region, as the Eastern Pyrenees administration lifted some water restrictions after river levels returned to normal and groundwater reserves were replenished.

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