Grand Froid plans activated as arctic chill bites

A total 37 departments have activated their Grand Froid plan to protect homeless and vulnerable people, as the forecast arctic blast sweeps into France from Russia.

An additional 3,100 temporary accommodation places for homeless people have been opened up as the phenomenon, known as 'Moscow-Paris' in France, or the 'Beast from the East' in the UK, has already seen sub-zero temperatures across vast swathes of the country.

Overnight, temperatures in parts of the country dipped to -10C, or -18C with the wind chill, and the worst is yet to come, according to forecasters, notably in the north where the northeasterly wind will add a biting chill to the low temperatures.

"Firm instructions have been given to all the prefects so that everyone can be protected. We will ask mayors to open gymnasiums, public facilities so that no one will be outside this evening," Interior Minister Gérard Collomb said in an interview with Europe 1.

Health authorities also advise that infants and the elderly should stay indoors. For others, they advice that it is better to limit physical effort and cover up well to avoid frostbite, hypothermia, and aggravating cardiovascular risks.

They have also warned people to be aware of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Environment management agency ADEME has called on everyone to limit electricity consumption as much as possible, particularly between the hours of 6pm and 8pm.

Meanwhile, three departments in the southeast, the Alpes-Maritime, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Var, on orange alert for snow and ice. Météo France said the alert was due to a "snowy episode a little late in the season and sufficiently noticeable to cause traffic problems and disrupt certain economic activities".