Floods: in the region of Venlo in the Netherlands, the state of some dikes worries
Audio 00:49
According to the authorities, even if the level of the Meuse should not rise much any more, the flood could well last at least a day and a half in Venlo.
© RFI / Antoine Mouteau
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
The Netherlands are also affected by the floods.
The flood of the Meuse makes the authorities fear the worst.
Even though, according to them, the water has reached its maximum level, they are very worried about the condition of some dikes.
This is particularly the case in the region of Venlo, on the border with Germany, where on Friday around 16,000 people were evacuated.
Publicity
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With our special
correspondent in Venlo,
Antoine Mouteau
The suspense was at its height Saturday afternoon July 17 in Venlo. According to the authorities, even if the level of the Meuse should not increase much any more, the flood could well last at least a day and a half. And that's what scares them. They do not know, they say, whether the dikes along the Meuse will hold that long. Especially since yesterday in Meerssen, a canal breakwater gave way. And this Saturday, an emergency dike in Roermond broke, too.
In Venlo, many fire-fighting vehicles are mobilized along the Meuse.
Metal walls were installed to block it.
And a hospital, evacuated the day before, is surrounded by sandbags.
Despite the gravity of the situation, hundreds of people came to witness the impressive spectacle of the river overflowing and covering, several meters, cycle paths and café terraces.
To the annoyance of the authorities who ask them to avoid the area.
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