France braves fourth heatwave this summer, drought leaves scores of places parched
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| Photograph:( Reuters ) |
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has formed a crisis team to tackle the drought situation even as scores of villages are forced to rely on water trucks.
France has endured a record-breaking 4th hot wave of this summer, while the worst drought gripping Europe has left villages thirsty and unable to drink. France braced itself for its fourth heatwave this summer Sunday as its worst drought on record left parched villages without safe drinking water and farmers warned of an impending milk shortage over the winter. The heatwave is expected to reach a high point on Monday over western France, where temperatures are expected to rise to more than 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). In Spain, a heatwave in 2019 has caused the worst bushfires in two decades, forcing evacuations and drawing on emergency services from the military.
The fires were fanning out due to earlier-than-normal extreme temperatures and drought conditions. Wildfires have torn across France and other European countries including Portugal and Spain in recent weeks, with over 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) burning Saturday in Frances Gironde region, compared with 7,300 hectares Friday. PARIS/LISBON, July 16 (Reuters) - Wildfires were burning across southwest France and Spain on Saturday, forcing thousands of people from their homes as scorching summer temperatures have authorities in parts of Europe on alert. From farmers to fishermen, boat owners to ordinary households, communities across France are struggling amid severe drought, which has seen unprecedented numbers of regions hit with water restrictions this summer.
Following the third-driest spring on record, and the most drought-like conditions since before, rivers and reservoirs are running dry nationwide, leading to ever-more serious water restrictions. Prime Minister Elizabeth Born formed a crisis team to address her worst drought, though scores of villages are being forced to rely on trucked water. Meanwhile, the lack of fodder due to the worst drought on record means there may be milk shortages for months ahead, according to the national farmers unions. Weather forecasts indicate that the Third Heatwave this summer may last the next 15 days, potentially making a historical situation even more worrisome, the written statement stressed.
Following the severe heat wave of 2003, the French Nuclear Safety Agency, ASN, established 28 degC (82 degF) temperature limits on rivers, above which plants are required to cut back on production in order not to heat water further and preserve the environment.
Since the beginning of the year, an average temperature of more than 28 degrees Celsius has been recorded on 151 days of 204, according to Meteo France, a national weather service. The month of July 2022 was marked by the nations record low precipitation, with fewer than four days of rainfall recorded on the Plains -- about three to 10 days fewer than the average, Meteo France said. Other parts of Europe were also afflicted with hot temperatures and extreme drought, and there is more hot weather predicted and less rain over the coming days and weeks. The President said about 3,000 firefighters, supported by aircraft dumping water, were fighting the blazes in southern France, while Greece sent firefighters equipment to assist.
Milk will also see a massive shortage in the months ahead as the National Federation of Farmers' Union has said that drought has caused a deficiency of fodder.
Meanwhile, France has imposed water restrictions on almost all of the mainland to conserve water.
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