A massive mop-up is under way in France after flooding that killed four people, caused the river Seine in Paris to burst its banks, and left damage estimated at up to a billion euros (£800 million pounds).
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Eleven died in the Germany states of Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg, four in France, two in Romania and one in Belgium, according to an AFP compilation of official tolls and news stories.
The swollen waters of Paris’s river Seine have begun receding slowly, and flood surveillance authorities say the waters are expected to drop rapidly at the start of the week.
In Evry-Gregy-sur-Yerre, a man on horseback drowned on Thursday, becoming the first fatality from the flooding caused by days of unusually torrential rain.
Even as the Seine crested higher, it remained well below the record high of 8.6 metres reached in 1910, when thousands of Parisians had to flee inundated low-lying areas of the city.
But they warned it could take up to ten days for the river to return to its normal levels after the flooding that swelled the river to about 4.5 metres (15 feet) above average in Paris.
The Orsay Museum, known for its impressionist art, was also closed through the weekend.
The Orsay’s website said it was likely to be shut “at least until Monday”, while the Louvre did not give a reopening date.
Paris landmarks including the Louvre and Orsay museums, the Grand Palace, Discovery Palace and the National Library were closed due to the floods.
The French Environment Minister said she feared more bodies would be found as waters receded in villages in Central France.
But for some tourists, the Seine bursting its banks proved to be an attraction, with many taking pictures from the various bridges across the river.
Visitors leave the open-air music festival Rock am Ring near Mendig, Germany on Sunday after the event was closed following storms. “You see it on television, but if you see it live, it makes more of an impression”.
View taken on June 4, 2016 shows the river Seine near the Notre Dame cathedral (R) after its banks became flooded following heavy rainfalls. In Paris several metro stations remained shut as a precaution.
Valls said authorities have “no major concern” any more regarding other rail and subway services, yet boats and barges docked in the capital were being carefully watched to ensure none would cast off their moorings.
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“We are very vigilant so that should there be more bad weather, there won’t be consequences”, Hollande told France Inter radio.
