Death toll of France's flood reaches five: officials

Heavy flood, which struck the French capital and central regions last week, have left five victims and injured many others, government officials said on Wednesday.

In a note presented at a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Manuel Valls and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the death toll of flood increased to five and 24 people were injured.

The flood caused by torrential and prolonged rainfalls had caused "important damage" of infrastructure, agriculture activity and private properties that could cost the state "hundreds of millions of euros".

Natural disaster was declared in 782 villages in 16 departments, they said, adding flash flood also prompted the creation of an emergency fund aimed to help the most affected people in the stricken zones.

The fund would be managed by prefects in cooperation with local social services offices in concerned departments. Endit