Photos: widespread flooding in Brittany as warnings continue

Flood warnings have been extended across Brittany as forecasters warn that a new spell of heavy rain is set to arrive on Monday, raising the risk of further flooding on already saturated river basins.

Three Breton departments have been placed on high (orange) alert by state forecaster Météo-France since January 22, with alerts now set to continue until at least January 27.

The alerts apply to Finistère, Morbihan and Ille-et-Vilaine due to the high water levels on the Laïta, Oust, Vilaine, Blavet and Aulne.

Residents evacuated

In Quimperlé, the River Laïta hit a high level of almost four metres on January 22, flooding  shops and homes, and forcing the authorities to evacuate trapped residents.

The situation has since improved. However, local authorities are concerned.

"We are well aware that we could find ourselves in another critical situation at the end of the day on Tuesday and Wednesday," mayor  Michaël Quernez told Ouest France.

"The lull is fragile. And there is a very real risk that the Laïta will once again overflow its banks."

More rain to come

Météo France forecasts a new spell of heavy rain to hit the region on Monday. 

“Rainfall will intensify during the evening and persist through the night, particularly across southern Brittany, before moving eastwards early on Tuesday," said the Mété-France bulletin on January 26. 

Forecasters warn that rainfall totals of 20 to 40mm are expected over a period of around twelve hours, with locally higher amounts possible, falling on ground already saturated by successive weather systems. 

Authorities stressed that these conditions significantly increase the risk of renewed river rises and damaging overflows.

The warning comes after a brief lull over the weekend, during which rainfall eased but river levels remained high across much of the region. 

Flood monitoring authority Vigicrues said that flooding is still under way on numerous Breton watercourses following a succession of disturbances over the past week.

On the Oust, which runs through Morbihan and Ille-et-Vilaine, a significant flood wave is continuing to propagate downstream. 

Peak levels have already been recorded upstream near Josselin, but substantial overflows are still being observed further downstream, notably around Malestroit. 

Elsewhere in Brittany, several rivers have been downgraded to yellow alert, including the Odet and the Blavet, but localised flooding remains possible due to the delayed movement of water through river systems.

Travel disruption

Road conditions remain severely disrupted across parts of Brittany, particularly in Finistère and Morbihan, where multiple departmental roads remain closed or partially submerged on Monday morning. 

Departmental authorities warn that conditions could deteriorate on Monday afternoon, urging drivers to check traffic updates before travelling, follow diversion routes and avoid all flooded roads.

Météo-France expects conditions to improve from Tuesday as the rain moves eastwards, but warns that water levels may remain high for several days due to slow drainage and continued tidal influences along the coast.