Sainte-Marie-du-Mont relies on water tankers amid drought

The village of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont in the Chartreuse mountains is facing a severe water crisis due to prolonged drought. Since late July, the community of 250 residents has relied on water tankers to meet their needs because the village's sole water source is insufficient following three months of minimal rainfall.

Twice a week, a tanker funded by the Grésivaudan community of communes delivers 60 cubic meters of water to the hamlet, which accounts for approximately three-quarters of the village's consumption. Other nearby villages, including Crêts en Belledonne and Saint-Maximin, have also received tanker services this summer.

Météo-France reported that as of September 20, 84% of France was affected by a decadal drought. Local officials note that while mountain regions were previously thought to be resilient to water shortages, the trend of reduced summer rainfall has become increasingly pronounced over the last five to six years.