This is unprecedented in France. The French drought has hampered agriculture and force widespread restrictions on the use of freshwater. Crops in France's fields are suffering from heat and drought, with water restrictions worrying farmers, particularly for corn production, which has already been badly hit by record temperatures. The group, which has 60% of its plots irrigated, has noted a clear difference compared with those that are not the drop in yield is estimated at between 10 and 20% for some plots, compared with a drop of 50%, or even more, without irrigation. Drought in France: restrictions and controls are increasing, A partially dried up pond is pictured near Monfort en Chalosse, in southwestern France, on August 3, 2022. Map of restrictions according to their importance. Yesterday I was at a farmers house in the Puy-de-Dme region [in central France]; he was watering the wheat. CO2 capture and storage: Environmental lifeline or blank cheque for polluters? Published: 11 August 2022 13:35 CEST Across the fields of France, crops are suffering from heat and drought, with water restrictions worrying the farming community, especially with regard to corn production, which has already been hit hard by the record-breaking temperatures. The ecological transition minister Bchu said the challenge was to tighten up water restrictions to avoid getting to the point where there is no longer any water. Parveen Ngala, a representative of the humanitarian organization Oxfam International, told RT that due to rising grain and oil prices, more than 21 million people in several African countries were on the verge of starvation. "The exceptional drought that we are currently experiencing is depriving many municipalities of water and is a tragedy for our farmers, our ecosystems and biodiversity," the statement said. The French drought has hampered agriculture and force widespread restrictions on the use of freshwater. Ukraine war: The EU promised 9 billion in financial aid to Kyiv. If you aren't following orders these police officers can dish out. As well as farming, drought has a huge impact on a lot of other thingslike buildings, warned hydrologist Emma Haziza. This year, the drought started very early We are taking measures to control water resources to avoid an unmanageable situation this summer, said French Prime Minister Elisabeth Born. Of the 96 French mainland dpartements, 86 are currently on some level of drought alert, meaning there are restrictions on water usage in place. Water restrictions have been ordered in nearly all of France's 96 mainland dpartements, with 62 at the highest alert level. Meanwhile the prefecture of the Ile-de-France departmenthas placed Paris, the Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-de-Marne on "drought" alert, with all departments inmetropolitan France now affected by the climatic phenomenon amid calls for water saving measures. More than 100 towns in France have no more drinking water and must receive deliveries by truck, France's ecological transition minister said while visiting the country's southeastern region. Conflicts over water supply and usage are multiplying in France, as drought restrictions affect the vast majority of . The Frenchagriculture ministryis all too aware of thecrisis. Audience ratings certified by ACPM/OJD. 4,000 checks since the start of the summer, 400 in 2021. By Arianna Endicott / Updated: Aug. 9, 2022 3:51 pm EDT. To make his farm more. 46 departments are at "crisis" level red, with only priority water use authorised, such asdrinking water, hygiene, health and safety. ", explains to RFI Loc Obled in charge of the police, knowledge and expertise and knowledge at the OFB. Capital city Paris has been placed on the first level of the alert system for drought with the city already taking measures to limit water usage, including watering parks only at night. France's Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne activated an interministerial crisis cell on Friday to address the drought which her office said in a statement was the "worst ever recorded" in the country. As global warming accelerates, the spectre of drought haunts Francesonceverdant farmland. Read more: 60 French departments have 'crisis' drought . Climate activists affiliated with Extinction Rebellion are targeting golf courses in southern France, filling holes with concrete in protest over exemptions from water restrictions. MAP: Where are water restrictions in place in France and what do they mean? Watering the garden, lava. The damage droughts create is more expensive to deal with than [the consequences of] floods and it will havehugelong-term economic consequences., >>'Code red for humanity': Bombshell UN climate change report shows global warming accelerating, Frances energy flows could also be affected. 2022-08-09T14:44:15.815Z. The country has dealt with wildfires destroying. Six French firefighters injured in wildfires, as 370 hectares of forest destroyed, France is on track to experience its driest July on record with widespread water restrictions. 93 departments are currently affected by water restrictions, including 67 at the maximum threshold, said to be in "crisis". France must make long-term changes to its agricultural model, Haziza said, including a shift from its current production-oriented paradigm which fuels the drought problem by driving deforestation. When the plants start growing, the pollination period begins by early July. With temperatures reaching up to 30C in some parts of France this week, experts warn that the heatwave, remarkably early for the summer season, could bring on drought. All of the departments of Metropolitan France are in drought vigilance, 22 of which are on reinforced alert and 68 in crisis. "There are already more than a hundred municipalities in France that today have no more drinking water, and for which supplies are being transported by truck to these municipalities because there is nothing left in the pipes," saidChristophe Bchu, while visiting the town of Roumoules. This content is not available in your region. The French Government on weather related risks (in French) Drought and Water During periods of low rainfall, water restrictions may be imposed in certain dry areas of France. And to cope with this increased workload, the environmental police are targeting priority sectors. The measures vary by dpartement - from banning. About 200 procedures have been initiated since the start of the season, he adds. If things carry on like this, farmers who can irrigate their crops will be able to deal with it but the others will face a dramatic reduction in their yields, Christiane Lambert,thehead of Frances biggest agricultural union the FNSEA, told AFPon Monday. Withjust 9.7 millimetres of rainin July according to weather service Mto France, rainfall overthe past four weeks was 84 percent down on average figures for July over the past three decades. Drought alerts and water restrictions are common in France over the summer, but this is unusually early. Christophe Bchu, the French minister for environmental transition, said Friday in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region, ahead of meetings with farmers deprived of water, that the drought was . The hot and dry weather France hasseenover the past few weeks could also affect spring crops like corn, sunflower and beet as well as the fodder needed to feed livestock. Where is it. According to the newspaper Le Figaro, citing the Ministry of Ecological Transition, restrictive measures have been introduced in a number of regions, including a ban on filling swimming pools with water, washing cars and watering gardens. July 2022 was the month with the least precipitation (9.7 millimeters) since March 1961 (7.8 mm) in France . After talks with Frances watercompaniesand farmers representatives, theagriculture ministryannounced that the Third Agricultural Revolution,a fund launched in April aimed at helping farmers deal with climate change, will be doubled to 40 million. Farming associations had been calling on the government to take emergency measures in the wake of the drought. In the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)'s recent sixth assessment report, scientists said that human-caused climate change would contribute to the "increased likelihood and severity of the impact of droughts" in several regions. The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore. Borne called on the French to be "very vigilant about the use of our water resources.". July 25, 2022 255 0 French authorities have imposed water restrictions in 88 departments of the country under the drought alert that has particularly affected regions in the west of the country, such as Pays de la Loire or Poitou-Charentes, as well as in the east, case of Isre. The standard level of drought restrictions cover only tap water, but local authorities can impose restrictions on all types of water if the situation requires it. Between high temperature heatwaves and a lack of rainfall, France is facing their most devastating drought in history . In the greater Paris region, individuals, local authorities and companies have been encouraged by the prefecturebut not obligedto ration consumption, by avoiding watering green spaces or roads, washing vehicles andlimiting domestic consumption. On 25 July, the flow of the river Seine fell below the 81m3/s threshold at the Paris-Austerlitz train station, triggering a switch to drought vigilance. 2022 Copyright France 24 - All rights reserved. What's a non-fungible token and should the French art world be worried? Climate activists affiliated with Extinction Rebellion filled holes at golf courses in France in protest over exemptions from water restrictions during one of the worst droughts on record. Coryn/Shutterstock. Since last autumn weve seenhuge droughtsin Spain and Portugal and the same phenomenon has spread to southern France,Lambert said. Between high temperature heatwaves and a lack of rainfall, France is facing their most devastating drought in history, reports The New York Times. Currently 28 dpartements are listed as in 'crisis . This picture taken on August 23, 2021, shows the parched earth in Bastelicaccia on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica. Hot weather and scant rain have led to water restrictions being imposed in 79 of the 96 administrative departments on mainland France as of Monday, as shown on a map of drought restrictions on . President Emmanuel Macron has recently reiterated his support for nuclear energy. In the event of an infringement, the sanction can range from a simple reminder of the law to a 5th class fine, which can reach 1,500 euros. 2022 Copyright RFI - All rights reserved. Photo by Jerome Domine/ABACAPRESS.COM RF PRW8N1 - Corn crop suffering from drought. The fountains of Concorde plaza are empty in Paris, France, as Europe is under an extreme heat wave, Aug. 3, 2022. France is currently facing a severe drought crisis with water restrictions of a certain level in place in every department. France has done better than most developed countries at responding to the threat ofclimate change, and began transitioning away from fossil fuels to nuclear power in the 1970s. There are four levels of alert, beginning with least to most severe: vigilance, alert (yellow), heightened alert (orange), and crisis (red). Some regions water tables manage to fill upeasily whileothers dont, Haziza said. But whatis unusual this seasonis that drought is affecting regions north of the Loire, the river that divides southern and northern France. Butnow,even regions that thought they wouldnt have a drought, like northern France not to mention large parts of northern Europe, including Belgium are beginning to suffer from its effects.. Unless otherwise stated, water restrictions concern only l'eau potable - tap water - so you can continue to use water from the well. Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning, Take international news everywhere with you! The closure of public fountains or water withdrawals for agricultural purposes can also be decided. France 24 is not responsible for the content of external websites. wpadmin August 11, 2022 7 min read. The least restrictions are limits on water consumption, but in the most affected departments, the level of drought can lead to stricter decisions such as a total ban on watering your garden, filling a swimming pool or even to wash his car. The French drought has hampered agriculture and force widespread restrictions on the use of freshwater. "This year, the drought started very early. As things stand, this phenomenon is occurring sooner and sooner and becomes more widespread every year.. Already in areas at the crisis warning level, there are restrictions on watering golf courses, filling pools, watering gardens, and washing cars. Drought will not only undermine the food supply but has effects further afield. The cumulative effects of drought and the lack of water are occurring during the pollination of corn a crucial period for the crops development. France 24 - International breaking news, top stories and headlines. will be unveiled, 5 dead in tragic car crash in Southern California, Franois Vatel, the art of the French table (part 1), Climate change.. A UN report confirms the meager results of countries' pledges to reduce emissions since last year, Invade an online class for only 1.5 yuan? We can see the earth cracking every day. This is likely to threaten agricultural production and crop yields in several countries. Masadour holds some 70,000 hectares of cereals in France. This heatwave is remarkable in terms of how early it is, how long it is lasting, and how widespread it is geographically, FrancesMeteorological Officesaid. The French government also announced in late April that watercompaniescould spend an extra 100 million to help farmers adapt to climate change or to create new reservoirs. CLIMATE CRISIS IN PICTURES: French drought intensifies as River Loire dries up As France continues to suffer its worst drought on record, many of its mighty rivers - including the Loire and the Dordogne - have in some areas dwindled to a trickle while in other regions lakes and reservoirs have vanished. Even so,measures aimed at dealingwith the current drought are nothing compared to theforces of climate changedriving it. Depending on the level of alert of the department, the prefects can take various measures. The French authorities are keen to make people aware of what they can do to preserve water, but they also provide up-to-date maps and reports on the water levels in the many rivers and streams in the country. Even now, before the start of summer, 15administrativedpartementshave had to restrict water use while farmers warn that the current situation will haveanadverse impact on cropyields. Whats more, drought has a negative impact on energy production, as nuclear power plants need a lot of water to cool the reactors.. Wintercrops suchas wheat and barley, currently growing [before cultivation later on], are starting toexperience conditionsthat will affect yields, a spokesperson said. So very quickly we ended up in a critical situation before summer has even started.. Were running head on into climate change.. No region has been spared. The ecological transition minister Bchu said the challenge was to tighten up water restrictions to avoid getting to the point where there is no longer any water. 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The entire nation is suffering its worst drought on record with restrictions in place to limit water usage, but for more than 100 parched communes, they don't even have the option to ration. . France French drought National weather agency Mto-France has forecast little relief in the coming weeks. According to Xavier de Castelbajac, head of cereal marketing at the Masadour cooperative . By imposing restrictions on those 15 dpartements , the French government is managing the crisis - but remains far from tackling its root cause. France, like many other European countries, has been experiencing abnormally hot weather this summer. According to Frances Ministry of Agriculture, the annual volume of water consumed nationwide is estimated at 5.3 billion cubic metres per year; agriculture is the leading water-consuming activity amounting to 45% of the total water supply, ahead of the cooling of power stations at 31%, drinking water 21% and just 3% for industrial use. While a fourth heat wave is affecting France, with a peak expected on Friday, all mainland departments are subject to a drought alert. In France, the dry spell has been so severe that the country has 62 regions with restrictions on water usage including Cantal, where salers is produced. LIVE heat wave: France is entering the hottest day of its third heat wave of the summer Horn of New JourneyChina's new development, new opportunities for the world, Biden almost fell on stage during a speech in New York, Sun: British nuclear submarine aborted 'secret mission' due to onboard fire, Darty: Apple MacBook, Philips TV, the best offers not to be missed, Agnelli inheritance, Margherita against the three Elkann children, An American was killed after being shot in Baghdad, Ministry of Industry and Trade: Lancome, Yves Saint Laurent and Giorgio Armani will resume deliveries to Russia, The Chinese Air Force announced the lineup for the 14th China Air Show, and the J-20, Yun-20, etc. Back in Paris an emergency drought taskforce has been set up. This article was translated from the original in French. The cumulative effects of drought and the lack of water are occurring during the pollination of corn - a crucial period for the crop's development. The flower will fertilise the plant and thanks to this fertilisation an ear will form with corn grains," before being harvested at the beginning of October, De Castelbajac explains. Due to. The cumulative effects of drought and the lack of water are occurring during the. On a national scale, the proportion of grain maize plots considered to be in "good to excellent" condition has fallen from 75% to 68% in the space of a week, according to FranceAgriMer's latest CrObs barometer published on 29 July. The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore. Climate change will also impact the likelihood of other extreme weather events such as floods. In connection with the drought against the backdrop of a record hot May in 24 departments of France, the authorities announced a special situation on the use of fresh water. The whole system is spiralling out of control,she said. Faced with a severe drought, everything is good to save water. Already in areas at the crisis. On July 27, French Minister of Agriculture and Food Marc Fesneau said that restrictions on the use of water have been introduced in almost all regions of France amid a record drought in July. RFI is not responsible for the content of external websites. AFP - GAIZKA IROZ. According to her, the authorities will allocate 400 million to help livestock farmers who will experience difficulties with livestock feed. RM W1MAF7 - Drying Vanilla Beans, Huahine French Polynesia Few people in France are talking about this looming catastrophe but all the signs of a record drought are there. Drought and a succession of three heat waves since June attributed by scientific consensus to climate change - have severely reduced river flows across France, multiplying water restriction measures, directly affectingagricultural production. Usually it's done in a fairly visual way, someone washing their car, irrigating or watering when it's not allowed, whether it's on a farm or a municipal stadium, etc., this kind thing is quite visible so there is no irruption in private properties, but rather there are observations and as soon as there is observation of an infringement, there can be a procedure drawn up. IN the Dordogne the prfecture has published its own map highlighting the areas across the region that face water restrictions. But it's not only a drought; wildfires. However, faced with dry soil, irrigation is the only way to guarantee yield levels for maize upon which industries count on particularly for animal feed. The closure of public fountains or water withdrawals for agricultural purposes can also be decided. 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