France faces exceptional drought as minister warns water crisis

France is experiencing an unprecedented drought, described by Environment Minister Monique Barbut as "exceptional" in both its timing and intensity. Ninety‑nine of the country's departments are under water‑use restrictions, with 43 placed in a crisis level, and a record 206 prefectural orders have been issued – the highest number since at least 2013. River flows have fallen sharply, about one‑third of monitoring points are below the 20‑year minima and a quarter of small streams are dry. The shortage is already harming agriculture, with the Nouvelle‑Aquitaine chamber warning of up to 100 % loss of maize yields in non‑irrigated fields, and industry reporting halted reactors. Around 100 000 residents rely on emergency water deliveries.

The government is preparing an agricultural emergency bill that would double water‑storage capacity for irrigation by 2035 and loosen environmental constraints on water agencies. It also plans a large investment programme for French forests, which have suffered extensive fires during recent heat waves. The FNSEA has called for an immediate emergency support plan for farmers, arguing that existing measures such as the fertiliser plan are insufficient.

Additional guidance for the public includes tips for responsible tourism and gardening under extreme heat, emphasizing reduced water consumption, use of sustainable containers, mulching and early‑morning watering to lessen pressure on already stressed water resources.