River Seine levels rise further as Paris braces for flood risk

Two men fish on the flooded banks of the River Seine in Paris, France, after days of almost non-stop rain caused flooding in the country, January 27, 2018. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

PARIS (Reuters) - The levels of the River Seine in Paris rose further on Saturday and were set to hit a peak this weekend, according to official estimates, and French authorities were on standby for any major flooding risk.

The government's "Vigicrues" flood monitoring body showed a slight increase overnight in the levels of the river in the capital, which could get close to peaks last seen in 2016.

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

A boat on the flooded River Seine passes the Statue of Liberty replica after days of almost non-stop rain caused flooding in the country, in Paris, France January 27, 2018. REUTERS/Mal Langsdon

It has also resulted in the famous "Bateaux Mouches" tourist boats being shut down due to the high waters, swans swimming in places where there are usually pavements, and even rats being forced onto the streets of Paris due to the flood.

Flooding caused destruction in Paris in 1910 when the Seine rose by 8.65 meters.

A street lamp and a tree are seen on the flooded banks of the River Seine in Paris, France, after days of almost non-stop rain caused flooding in the country, January 27, 2018. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Mark Potter)

A Christmas tree next to a tree is seen on the flooded banks of the River Seine in Paris, France, after days of almost non-stop rain caused flooding in the country, January 27, 2018. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

A man fishes on the flooded banks of the River Seine in Paris, France, after days of almost non-stop rain caused flooding in the country, January 27, 2018. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

A ticket booth for sightseeing boats is partly submerged by the River Seine after days of almost non-stop rain caused flooding in the country, in Paris, France January 27, 2018. REUTERS/Mal Langsdon

A man fishes on the flooded banks of the River Seine in Paris, France, after days of almost non-stop rain caused flooding in the country, January 27, 2018. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

A street lamp and a tree are seen on the flooded banks of the River Seine in Paris, France, after days of almost non-stop rain caused flooding in the country, January 27, 2018. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

General view of the Seine River that overflows its banks as heavy rains throughout the country have caused flooding, in Paris, France, January 26, 2018. REUTERS/Sandra Auger

Men take pictures of a street lamp on the flooded banks of the River Seine in Paris, France, after days of almost non-stop rain caused flooding in the country, January 26, 2018. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann