By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
You are listening to a new special from am1575news, Francia24 and Radio Centrale Milano, in podcasting and on medium waves.
Hellish weather between Corsica and southern France
The meteorological situation in southern France is escalating into a true emergency scenario. Corsica, and particularly Upper Corsica, has been hit by an unprecedented amount of water. In Solenzara, 538 millimeters of rain fell in just six hours, a figure that has broken every historical record for the region.
The intensity was such that over 11,000 lightning strikes were recorded in a very short period of time, transforming the sky into an electric battlefield. Authorities had to activate the rapid alert system to inform the population of the imminent danger.
Tragedies and rescues among the flooded areas
As the rain falls incessantly, the toll is beginning to emerge in a dramatic fashion. In the Bouches-du-Rhône, rescue workers reported the tragic news of a 75-year-old man who was swept away by the waters. Simultaneously, in Upper Corsica, an intense search is still underway to find a person who went missing after their vehicle was swept away by a river.
Firefighter operations are massive. In the areas of Marseille and its surroundings, hundreds of people have been evacuated or forced to remain locked in their homes to ensure safety. Many neighborhoods are currently submerged and the situation remains extremely unstable.
Roadblocks and transport chaos
The chaos is heavily reflected on road traffic. In the Var department, several roads are completely submerged and circulation has become almost impossible. Authorities have issued an urgent appeal for the population to avoid all non-essential travel.
The railway sector and public transport are also suffering heavy blows. In Martigues, a bus depot ended up underwater, while in other areas buses remained stuck due to the height of the rainfall. The A9 autoroute had to close several sections due to the flooding, creating enormous traffic jams.
Electrical emergency and continuous alert
The impact of the storms is also being felt on essential services. In Corsica, approximately 4,500 families are currently without electricity. Technical teams are attempting to restore service, but the prohibitive weather conditions make interventions extremely difficult and risky.
While local authorities activate municipal emergency plans, vigilance remains high. Var, the Maritime Alps, and Gard are under strict monitoring for the risks of flooding and flash floods. The forecast indicates that the storm system will continue to hit the Mediterranean coast hard throughout the night.
That is all for now. From the newsrooms of Nice and Paris, this is am1575news, Francia24 and Radio Centrale Milano.
Source: AudioVisione – AM 1575 News