Snowstorms disrupt France: 200,000 left without power
Snow and gales have caused chaos in France, where road accidents and power outages have affected thousands of people. A weather orange alert is in effect across 31 departments in France.
The snow and ice have led to numerous road accidents in France, with a serious incident injuring 36 people. The gales have knocked down trees onto railway tracks, paralysing rail services. Approximately 200,000 people have been left without power.
The weather orange alert is in place in 31 departments of France, roughly a third of the country's territory. The most significant disruptions are in Normandy, the Pays de la Loire, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and the capital region Île-de-France.
France paralysed
In Normandy, train services have been halted, and some school bus routes have been cancelled. Certain road sections have also been closed, and lorries over 7.5 tonnes are prohibited from using the A36 and A28 motorways.
Power supply disruptions have mainly affected the north-western regions of France. On Friday morning, around 200,000 people remained without power. In Paris, the snowfall was the heaviest in November since 1968.
The Eiffel Tower has been closed, and restrictions for lorries on the RN118 road remain in place in the Île-de-France region. The weather situation remains challenging, and residents must be prepared for further disruptions.
The orange weather alert, the second highest level, was issued due to heavy snowfall, strong winds, and ice.
