麻豆传媒映画

Swimming has been banned at some popular beaches in northern France after heavy rain caused nearby sewage plants to overflow.

The overflow happened at Caen sewage plant overnight on Monday (July 31).

The beaches affected included Deauville, Trouville, Houlgate, Cabourg, Merville-Franceville, Villers-sur-Mer and Blonville-sur-Mer.

The Dieppe sewage treatment plant suffered a similar issue, causing a swimming ban at Puys beach.

Avec les fortes pluies de cette nuit, la station d鈥檈puration de Caen a d没 bypasser 2.000 m3 d鈥檈aux us茅es, dans l鈥橭rne. Dans l鈥檃ttente de nouvelles analyses et jusqu鈥櫭� nouvel ordre, baignades, activit茅s nautiques et p锚che 脿 pieds sont interdites sur le littoral de

鈥� Merville-Franceville (@MervilleFrPlage)

The mayor of Merville-Franceville, Olivier Paz, explained: 鈥淎fter heavy rain overnight, the Caen sewage plant had to bypass [reject without treating] 2,000m3 of used water into the [river] Orne.鈥�

Entering or using the water is at the affected beaches, including for swimming, fishing, or sports.

The decree will remain in place 鈥渦ntil further notice鈥�, Mr Paz said.

For those who wish to brave the less-than-summery weather, other beaches in Normandy remain unaffected and are still open. These include beaches west of the Orne, on the Nacre coast.

Read more: How long will northern France鈥檚 colder 鈥榓utumn-like鈥� weather last?

It comes as M茅t茅o France has placed 66 departments, including Calvados, on yellow alert for strong winds on Wednesday (August 2).

It warned: 鈥淒ue to a depression that is circulating over the British Isles, strong winds are expected in the north of the country as well as a higher-than-normal sea level and strong waves on the coast.鈥�

Read also

Which beaches should you avoid in France this summer?
Green, yellow, red, purple: New safety flag system for French beaches