Whopping catch amid Paris floods

The picture of an unnamed local was captured by Agence-France Press photographer Bertrand Guay as he covered the rising water levels in one of the world’s most popular tourist spots.

The drenching has forced world-renowned Louvre and Orsay museums to pack up priceless artworks and move them f-rom their basement exhibition spaces to protect them f-rom flooding.

The Mona Lisa, held in the Louvre, is understood to be protected f-rom damage.

Floodwaters are expected to peak at six metres on Friday afternoon in the French capital, slightly below a previous record of 8.6 metres in 1910 when thousands were forced to leave.

Resourceful locals have been making the most of the fishing opportunities. Picture: AFP/BERTRAND GUAYSource:AFP

The Louvre is closed while emergency plans are in place to remove famous works of art. Picture: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber.Source:AP

The floodwaters are expected to peak on Friday afternoon. Picture: AFP/ BERTRAND GUAYSource:AFP

The Seine is at the highest level it has been in 35 years. Picture: AFP/BERTRAND GUAYSource:AFP

It’s the highest the city’s main river, the Seine, has been in 35 years and has led to days of disruption for residents as it comes alongside major strikes f-rom rail and industrial workers over labour reforms in the country.

France’s interior ministry said a 74-year-old man and an 86-year-old woman have died in the floods southeast of Paris. Another 20,000 have been evacuated in a massive operation involving firefighters and the military.

French President Francois Hollande is expected to declare a natural disaster next week.

Environment Minister Segolene Royal said the water could take weeks to subside during the start of the busy summer tourist season.

“What’s going to be even more painful for the families who have lost their homes, the heads of companies who have lost their businesses, the employees who will be unable to go to work, is that the d-rop in the water level will be very slow,” she said.

Tourists have been turned away f-rom the Musee de Louvre. Picture: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber.Source:AP

The statue of the Zouave at the Alma bridge in Paris is swallowed up by water. Picture: AFP PHOTO / JOEL SAGET.Source:AFP

Flooding has also affected parts of Germany and Romania, claiming 14 lives so far with others still missing.

In France, Energy giant Endis said 20,000 people are without power in the east and southeast of Paris.

Paris deputy mayor Bruno Julliard said the rising water had triggered an automatic provision to move the works of art when water went beyond 5.5 metres.

Tourists appeared understanding about the closure. Mexican visitor Carlos Santiago told AFP he was glad the paintings were being moved to safety.

“It’s good that they are evacuating the paintings. It’s a shame that we couldn’t see them today, but it’s right that they do these things,” he said.

- With AFP