France records unprecedented drought as 98 departments face water-use restrictions

A record 98 French departments are now under drought surveillance, the highest level recorded since at least 2013. Of these, 42 are classified as "crisis", 27 as "alert renforcée", 16 as "alert" and 13 remain in "vigilance". The government has issued 201 prefectural orders restricting irrigation, filling of private pools, vehicle washing, garden watering and certain industrial uses. Overseas territories are also affected: Guadeloupe and Martinique are on alert, while Réunion is under alert renforcée.

The Ministry for the Ecological Transition announced an inter‑ministerial instruction to accelerate water‑resource committees, enforce rapid restriction orders, strengthen controls and conduct weekly basin‑level monitoring. The region most impacted is Nouvelle‑Aquitaine, where 11 of 12 departments are in crisis.

Heatwave conditions persist, with orange vigilance for forest‑fire risk in Gironde and other forest‑dominant communes, prohibiting the use of combustion tools, open fires, pyrotechnics and limiting human presence between 14:00‑22:00. The risk of forest fires is rated "very high" in Haute‑Garonne, while 37 departments are placed in red vigilance for extreme heat. Fire services in Tarn‑et‑Garonne have responded to numerous brush‑fire incidents, and authorities have banned non‑professional pyrotechnics and outdoor barbecues across several departments.

Meteorological forecasts indicate the arrival of a cold front that may bring thunderstorms from mid‑week, potentially easing temperatures later in the week, but the drought and heatwave are expected to continue to strain water supplies and increase fire risk throughout much of France.