Strong thunderstorms have been affecting our region. Many parts of the Var, the Alpes-Maritimes and the Bouches-du-Rhone have seen heavy rainfall, flooding and even hailstones in places. In 3 hours this morning, a water level of 43 mm was recorded in Hyères with a gust of wind of 116 km / h. Flooding affected many parts of the Var including Toulon. The Var prefecture said that after a temporary lull which was experienced late in the morning, new storms are expected to affect the Bouches-du-Rhône and the Var. The storms are locally violent with strong rainfall, locally reaching 80 mm in a short time, with hail, and strong gusts of wind of around 80 to 100 km/h. The Var is under an orange Meteo France alert for storms until midnight tonight after which it becomes a yellow warning until 4pm tomorrow. There's also an orange warning for heavy rain and flooding in the Var until midnight. The Alpes-Maritimes is on a lower yellow alert for storms right through until 4pm tomorrow and for heavy rain and flooding until 10am tomorrow. Full details are available on www.meteofrance.com
The Var prefecture said that people should limit their movements and be very careful near watercourses and to inform themselves of traffic conditions before driving. The Prefecture said that significant runoff may occur due to the dry soil and people should not enter fords, submersible bridges or underground passages. It reminded people that 30cm of water is enough to wash away a car. Train services were interrupted for a time between Toulon and Hyeres and Carnoules and Hyeres but are now back to normal and Var firefighters said this morning that there had been no serious incidents.
The Covid-19 incidence rate has once again fallen in Monaco. According to the government's weekly Covid-19 update, the incidence rate over the 7 days to last Sunday was 207 per 100,000 people, down from 235 the previous week. 81 new Covid-19 positive cases were recorded. As of Sunday August 14, 15 people, including 11 residents, were hospitalized at the Princess Grace Hospital. None were being treated in intensive care. 46 people were being followed by the Home Monitoring Centre.
The French National Police have been carrying out operations against so-called urban rodeos in the Alpes-Maritimes. Yesterday and overnight last night 8 anti-rodeo operations took place, more than 130 vehicles and over 190 people were checked and "numerous violations" were recorded.
Meanwhile, a teenager has died in an urban rodeo in Marseille last night. Reports say that the 19 year motorcyclist hit a pole at high speed in the 11th arrondissement.
BUSINESS
The UK Office for National Statistics has said that annual inflation in the UK reached 10.1% in July, up from 9.4% in June. It’s the first time that UK inflation has gone into double digits since 1982. Food and non-alcoholic drinks were the largest contributor to rising prices in July, according to the ONS. Transport costs were another big contributing factor, with air fares and international rail tickets particularly increasing.
New Zealand’s central bank has raised interest rates. It raised the official cash rate by half a per cent to 3 per cent. It projected that the rate will reach 4% by early next year.
SPORT
Cricket… It’s the opening day of first England against South Test in the three-match series. England are looking to extend their four-Test winning streak.
Football…. West Ham have signed Germany defender Thilo Kehrer from Paris St-Germain on a four-year deal. He has 22 caps for Germany.
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