PARIS: France has issued a red alert for three departments in the western part of the country in anticipation of Storm Ciaran’s arrival in the northwest on Wednesday evening. Residents in the affected departments have been cautioned against any unnecessary travel during the night.
The meteorological service has specifically placed the departments of Finistère, Côtes d’Armor, and Manche on “red alert” due to the expectation of violent winds with speeds ranging from 100 to 120 km/h. Along the coasts of Finistère and Morbihan, wind speeds of up to 130-150 km/h were anticipated in the evening.
As the storm approaches, heavy precipitation is also on the horizon, with projections of 30-50 millimeters of rain over a six-hour period in Finistère, Morbihan, and Côte d’Armor. Consequently, these areas have been put on an orange alert for potential flooding.
In light of these warnings, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin issued an advisory for residents in the affected departments to refrain from unnecessary travel overnight from Wednesday to Thursday.
Furthermore, as a precautionary measure, rail traffic is slated to be disrupted on Thursday, affecting all TER lines in regions including Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Normandy, Center Val de Loire, and Hauts-de-France, as announced by the rail company SNCF. This proactive approach aims to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in the face of the impending storm’s impact.
