NICE: Violent storms and flooding along the chic French Riviera overnight have killed at least 16 people and left another five missing, the local authorities said on Sunday.

Up to 180 millimetres of rain fell in just three hours, transforming the glitzy streets of Cannes, Nice and Antibes into debris-strewn rivers.

In Cannes — home of the famous film festival — the torrent carried some cars out to sea, city hall said.

Communications to the region — one of the wealthiest in France, and a magnet for visitors from around the world — were badly hit and thousands were left without power.

President Francois Hollande visited the region, expressing the “solidarity of the nation” to those affected — but also warning that the disaster suggested an environmental message had to be learnt.

“There have always been catastrophes. But their rhythm and intensity are on the increase,” Mr Hollande said, urging that environmental “decisions be taken” as France prepared to host UN-led climate talks in December on a post-2020 pact to curb greenhouse gases.

Three people died when water engulfed a retirement home at Biot near Antibes, and three drowned when their car was trapped by rising waters in a small tunnel at Vallauris-Golfe-Juan.

Rescue teams at Mandelieu-la-Napoule said the water was so murky that it hampered the search for further bodies in underground car parks, where at least seven people died.

Published in Dawn, October 5th , 2015

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