1.
LV: Eiffel Tower with boats moored on Seine in foreground.
0.06

2.
GV: courting couple on seat at river bank PULL BACK TO GV.
0.16

3.
GV: Swirling water PAN UP TO view of river bank.
0.22

4.
GV: river in flood moored boats in foreground.
0.27

5.
SV: boats moored on quayside.
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6.
TV: steps leading down to lower quayside.
0.34

7.
GV: flooded streets (2 shots)
0.40

8.
CU: courting couple PULL BACK TO SHOW water lapping near their feet
0.48

9.
GV: boat glides past on flood waters.
0.53

10.
GV: road with flood diversion sign.
0.58

11.
GV: flooded roadside near river bank
1.01

12.
GV: flat barge passing moored barge.
1.09

13.
SV: stranded motorcyclist.
1.14

14.
GV: flooded petrol station for boats.
1.17

15.
GV: barges moored close to flooded causeway.
1.20

16.
SV: water level just under bridge arch.
1.25

17.
CU: statue of Zouave near Alma bridge with feet under water PULL BACK TO LV bridge and Eiffel Tower in background.
1.34



Initials RH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In France, steady rains and melting snows have swollen numerous rivers to produce flooding in many parts of the country. In Paris, the river Seine on Tuesday (13 February) was flowing more than four metres (50 inches) above its normal height, and rising towards danger level.

SYNOPSIS: The rising of the Seine has been slow and relentless.. covering parts of both the right and left banks but not managing to quench a noted Parisienne pastime.

Press reports on Monday (12 February) said the river's level had already risen by more than three and a half metres (44 inches), and it was expected to rise another half a metre (20 inches) during the following twenty-four hours.

Motor traffic, which is among the heaviest in the world, has already been disturbed. A central stretch of the right bank motorway has been closed, and vehicles cannot use the underpass along that bank. River traffic is also restricted, and motorists are forced to detour around other partly-submerged roadways.

With the river creeping steadily upwards, many barges have moored because they cannot pass under the series of bridges in Paris. All manner of traffic has been impeded, and fuel stations are submerged and out of action.

Many of France's major roads have been closed, including the Autoroute du Sud. The authorities advised holiday-makers who wanted to be back in Paris by midweek to leave their resorts immediately, and to check which roads back to the capital were still open.