More than one million residents of the Île-de-France region currently live in areas directly exposed to a major flood comparable to that of the Seine in 1910, according to a study published by the Paris Region Institute. This represents more than 8% of the regional population, while nearly 555.000 homes are also located in areas threatened by flooding due to overflowing waterways.
The most affected areas are concentrated along the Seine and Marne rivers, where floods are characterized by a gradual rise in water levels. Experts point out that a once-in-a-century flood remains difficult to predict, but it generally gives authorities time to anticipate the necessary protection and evacuation measures to limit the human and material consequences.
Paris and its inner suburbs are particularly vulnerable
According to the study, more than 70% of potentially exposed residents live in Paris or its inner suburbs. The 15th arrondissement of the capital has the highest number of affected individuals, with nearly 70.000 residents exposed. Alfortville appears to be the municipality with the highest proportion of vulnerable residents, followed by Asnières-sur-Seine, Gennevilliers, Colombes, and Créteil.
Experts point out that despite the effectiveness of flood risk prevention plans implemented since the early 2000s, more than 100.000 homes have been built in flood-prone areas. Should a flood similar to that of 1910 recur, the consequences could be considerable: up to 600.000 people flooded in the Greater Paris metropolitan area, five million residents without drinking water, and nearly one million without electricity.
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