Paris Olympics 2024: As the city prepares to host the Olympic Games on Tuesday, the French meteorological agency has issued a weather alert for Paris and the surrounding territories due to a significant storm.
The capital is under a “orange alert,” the third of four categories, according to the French weather service Météo-France, which said that violent thunderstorms, torrential rain, hail, and lightning were possible starting at 6:00 pm (1600 GMT).
This might be accompanied by “intense precipitation (around 20mm to 40mm in less than an hour),” according to the weather agency. The effects would be relatively localized and linger until around midnight.
As Paris braces for the fourth day of the Olympic Games, with temperatures expected to soar to 36 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, a storm alert has been issued.
The capital city was already under a “yellow alert” from the CSA due to the intense heatwave that is causing scorching temperatures in other French Olympic venues.
Olympians competing in outdoor activities, such as the women’s rugby semi-finals at the Stade de France and beach volleyball under the Eiffel Tower, will feel the intense heat.
Tuesday’s high in the southwest city might be 38C, according to the weather service, before falling.
Météo-France has predicted a high temperature that is comparable for Lyon, where Argentina and Ukraine’s football teams will play on Tuesday.
Strong heatwaves have also afflicted other French towns hosting Olympic events; in certain central and southern regions, highs above 40C have been recorded in recent days.
Manu Bhaker, one of India’s top shooters, and Sarabjot Singh upset South Korea to win the bronze medal in the mixed team 10m air pistol event on Tuesday at the Paris Olympics, creating Olympic history.
At the quadrennial showcase, the Indian team won its second medal, defeating the Koreans 16–10. Bhaker did so to become the first Indian after independence to win two medals at the same Games.
(With inputs from agencies)