CARS ARE WASHED DOWN THE ROAD AS HUGE FLOODS HIT ITALY AND SWITZERLAND
Torrential downpours and extreme heatwaves this summer are seeing cars washed down roads and landscapes being devastated in weather chaos across Europe.
In the Lanzo Valleys, north-west Italy, it has been raining for more than ten hours and the Stura River has swollen above safe levels, according to the Lastampa news site.
Meanwhile, in Lago della Torre, several landslides occurred and a shepherd was stuck at about 150 meters above sea level before being heroically rescued by firefighters.
Seven families who were at risk in two buildings near the Vassola stream had to be evacuated after it turned into a raging torrent.
Pictures from Sierre, Switzerland, show major flooding and a submerged motorway after The Rhone River overflowed following huge storms.
In Greece, a volunteer firefighter, 55, tragically lost his life after 45 wildfires broke out within hours of each other last week in an extreme heatwave reaching 42C.
Violent storms hit a large area of western Canavese, and in the Orco valley, the Noaschetta river swelled so much that the famous waterfall at the gates of the town 'jumped' the entrance bridge to the town centre and forced the closure of a main road.
A similar incident saw villages swept away in the Cogne valley due to intense rain.
Across Lake Garda, Emilia-Romagna and Parma, heavy rainfall saw cars swept away, and entire streets and residential districts left underwater.
A thunderstorm near the town of Rovigo in Veneto fell victim to a tornado which tore through the area, tearing off roofs and uprooting trees.
And Switzerland was badly hit by similar weather on Fridat, with downpours of more than 100mm in some areas.
As the flash floods hit, some locals had their cars and houses swept away. It has been reported that at least one person has died.
The resort of Zermatt - renowned for skiing, climbing and hiking - was completely cut off due to the flood water and transport chaos.
In Greece, a severe fire alert is in place after a spate of wildfires.
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