Local authorities in the German city of Dresden have issued a level 3 flood warning after the River Elbe rose to 6 metres.

The regional flood centre in the eastern German state of Saxony said the third level of alert had been in place since this morning.

For Dresden, the capital of Saxony, residential areas, regional roads and railways could be flooded, it said.

According to current forecasts, water levels will continue to rise throughout the day, before receding slightly tonight.