Boy, 12, and man, 59, killed after flash floods sweep through France

A child and a man have died and more than a dozen are injured after torrential storms in France toppled trees and flooded streets.

Metro stations and streets in Paris were left underwater yesterday evening when flash flooding hit the capital city.

Severe storms worsened across France after the country’s recent heatwave,which caused drier conditions,exacerbating the flooding.

Emergency services said that a tree fell and killed a child in the south-west of France,while a 59-year-old man died when his quad bike hit a toppled tree in the north-west.

The weather became so severe that the French National Assembly’s domed ceiling began leaking while Prime Minister Francois Bayrou spoke about the Middle East.

The debate was suspended while the leak was investigated,as streets outside the assembly doors flooded.

More than 110,000 homes and 39,000 lightning strikes have been recorded overnight in France and Belgium.

Thunderstorms have rocked much of the country in recent days (Picture: AFP)

Falling trees resulted in two fatalities (Picture: Reuters)

Streets in the French capital were overwhelmed with flooding (Picture: Shutterstock)

Hail the size of golf balls was reported in areas of Paris,and 70mph winds were recorded in the town of Tarn-et-Garonne.

France is getting a short reprieve from the terrible weather,but Brits are preparing for heavy rain and potential thunderstorms today.

Warm temperatures will persist through the weekend,with London seeing a high of 34°C on Monday.

How to stay cool in the heat

Drink cold drinks – weird but true: milk might hydrate you better than water,Medichecks’ Dr Natasha Fernando told MetroClose windows and curtains in rooms that face the sunWear suitable clothing,seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly if going outsideStay out of the sun between 11 am and 3 pm,the hottest time of the dayPlan outdoor physical activities for cooler times of day,like morning and eveningThe Met Office has urged Brits to avoid going outside to exercise or enjoy their gardens between 11 am and 3 pm on Sunday,the hottest part of the day.Last week,amber health alerts were issued as a heatwave moved across the UK.More than 10,000 people died prematurely in summer heatwaves between 2020 and 2024,according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).