Nearly 1,500 evacuated in Paris region as rising Seine poses flood risk

A view shows the flooded banks of the Seine River and the Eiffel Tower. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

PARIS (Reuters) - Nearly 1,500 people have been evacuated from homes in the Paris region, with authorities on alert for any major flood risk after the levels of the swollen River Seine rose further on Sunday.

Michel Delpuech, head of the Paris police body, told reporters that around 1,500 people had been moved out of homes in the Ile de France region comprising the French capital and its suburbs.

"The waters will only go away slowly," added Delpuech.

A view shows the flooded banks of the Seine River after days of almost non-stop rain caused flooding in the country in Paris, France January 28, 2018. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

The Seine's waters were set to peak later on Sunday or early on Monday close to levels which led to similar flooding in 2016, authorities said.

The overflowing waters have already engulfed riverside walkways in Paris and led the world-famous Louvre museum to close a basement display of Islamic art.

Paris's "Bateaux Mouches" tourist boats have been shut down due to the high waters while swans have been seen swimming where there are usually pavements and rats forced up onto the streets.

The rear of the Notre Dame Cathedral is seen as the muddy Seine River covers its banks. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

Flooding caused destruction in Paris in 1910 when the Seine rose by 8.65 meters, although no deaths were recorded there.

(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Pascale Antonie; Editing by Catherine Evans)

A view shows a peniche boat that is moored along the flooded banks of the River Seine after days of almost non-stop rain caused flooding in the country in Paris, France January 28, 2018. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

Paris police divers use a small boat to patrol a flooded street of a residential area in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, near Paris. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

A parking desk is partly submerged by the River Seine after days of almost non-stop rain caused flooding in the country in Paris, France January 28, 2018. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

A parking desk is partly submerged by the River Seine after days of almost non-stop rain caused flooding in the country in Paris, France January 28, 2018. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

A view shows a peniche boat moored along the flooded banks of the River Seine after days of almost non-stop rain caused flooding in the country in Paris, France January 28, 2018. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes