By Hajer M'tiri

PARIS

A man was found drowned in his car in northern France on Tuesday as a new wave of record powerful thunderstorms and torrential rain continues to lash parts of the country.

Since May storms and downpours have flooded towns and roads, damaged cars and homes, and decimated vineyards.

The 37-year-old was found dead near the village of Piseux, Normandy, some 101 kilometers (63 miles) west of Paris. He is believed to have drowned after his car flipped over in an accident and landed in a flooded area, according to local authorities.

National weather agency Meteo France placed 16 departments on Orange alert, the second-highest warning level, as electrical storms and heavy rain continued on Tuesday.

Lightning strikes in May totaled 182,000 nationwide, almost double the previous record for May of 84,000 set in 2009, the agency added.