Three killed after floods devastate the French region of Riviera

At least three people have died in floods caused by heavy rainfall and storms that have been bathed southern France on Monday.

The bodies of an elderly couple were found in the sea resort town of Le Lavender, while another person died after getting into a car trap in Vidaaban, local authorities said on Tuesday.

The rains have caused widespread damage throughout the region, flooding the streets and causes interruption of electricity and water. At least two regional trains stopped their trips overnight after the rail tracks were damaged.

The couple, who died, tried to leave their home but was swept away, “surprised by a very rapid increase in water levels,” said Toulon’s prosecutor.

An investigation was opened in their death.

“We are shocked by the scale of the natural disaster that struck the Cavalier area this morning,” said employees in Le Lavender. They said the city center was flooded with 256 mm rain in just an hour.

The city, about 30 km (18 miles) east of St. Tropez, is a holiday destination along the French Riviera.

“It was a truly violent, nasty, incomprehensible phenomenon,” said local mayor Gil Bernardi, describing the “roads torn” and “bridges fell apart.”

Le Lavandou was still suffering from electricity and water interruptions on Tuesday, and access was also limited as the city’s main road remained flooded.

Meanwhile, North staff in Vidaaban said one person died after a car in which they were expelled and fell into a ditch.

A passerby tried to save both of the occupants – the driver and the passenger – but managed to save only the driver, Claude Pianetti saidS

More than 500 calls were made in the emergency services in the VAR region last day, authorities said. Several hundred emergency rescuers are also located in the region, including from nearby cities like Cannes.

VAR was placed on additional emergency warnings for thunderstorms and floods on Tuesday morning, but later they were reduced to the lower level.

More than 600 homes are left without electricity, local authorities said earlier.

The heavy rains and hail had hit southwestern France on Monday night. The Bordeaux-Tulus railway is affected by some trains on the route, canceled over the next few days.