File photo: Valery Hache/AFPAfter an end-of-August heatwave, large parts of France were set for heavy storms on Wednesday, with 19 departments placed on alert. While four departments remain on alert for high heat, 19 across the east of the country were set for thunderstorms on Wednesday as temperatures dropped nationwide. The departments placed on orange alert - the second highest level - by national weather agency Meteo France were: Ain, Allier, Cantal, Côte-d'Or, Doubs, Haute-Loire, Haute-Marne, Jura, Loire, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Moselle, Puy-de-Dôme , Haut-Rhin, Haute-Saône, Rhone, Saone-et-Loire, Vosges and Territoire-de-Belfort. Image: Meteo FranceUnder the orange alert level, members of the public are advised to be "very vigilant", especially if travelling or participating in leisure activities. Meanwhile, much of the rest of France, apart from parts of the north-west and south-east, were on yellow alert (the second level out of four) for storms.

Source: The Local August 30, 2017 09:51 UTC