France heatwave: Southern departments under orange alert

A severe heatwave is affecting southern and southeastern France, with Météo-France issuing orange alerts for several departments, including Ardèche, Aude, Drôme, Gard, Hérault, and Vaucluse. Temperatures have reached unprecedented levels for early September, with recorded highs such as 39.4°C in Perpignan and over 38°C in Nîmes.

This heatwave follows what Minister for Ecological Transition Monique Barbut described as the hottest summer recorded in France since 1900. The current episode is noted as the final in a series of heatwaves experienced during recent months.

In response to the weather conditions, VINCI Autoroutes has issued safety advisories for drivers using major motorways like the A7 and A9, recommending vehicle checks and frequent hydration. In the Aude region, extreme heat has already been linked to forest fires, resulting in the evacuation of approximately one hundred people.