© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
A sudden and intense hailstorm struck Paris on Saturday, May 3, causing flash flooding that brought parts of the French capital to a halt. The storm, which came after a spell of warm spring weather, caught residents and commuters off guard, despite earlier weather alerts.
Authorities had issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms across parts of France earlier in the day, however, few expected the intensity of disruption that followed. Social media platforms were soon flooded with dramatic videos showing torrents of water rushing through the streets and sidewalks blanketed in marble-sized hailstones.
Some areas saw such intensity that hail appeared like snow. In one of the viral videos, commuters and tourists are seen scrambling for cover as the hailstorm suddenly strikes. Many sought shelter under a bus stop, waiting for the storm to pass.
The video garnered several reactions, with a user commenting, “Why do people freak out from this kind of weather…weather like this has always been there..long before climate discussions..only then we did not have social media.” Another user wrote, “Awe. So sad to see the flowers ruined.”
“This weather is not normal anymore,” a third user reacted.
Local reports confirmed that at least four metro stations were shut down due to water damage, stranding many commuters. At Charles de Gaulle Airport, operations were temporarily suspended, causing delays and cancellations for several flights, The Guardian reported.
The storm followed several days of unusually high temperatures across Paris, with daytime highs climbing into the 21 to 28 degree Celsius. According to reports, the same weather is expected to move eastward, with Italy bracing for possible severe storms this week. The Italian meteorological service has already issued amber warnings for Monday and Tuesday, especially in northern and western regions.
