Drought Vigilance Declared in Gard Department Amid Severe Conditions

Gard department in France declares drought vigilance due to severe water shortages.

Key Points

  • • Gard facing severe drought conditions as hot and dry weather persists.
  • • Prefect Jérôme Bonet places all watersheds under vigilance.
  • • Residents urged to conserve water to manage dwindling resources.
  • • Meteorological forecasts indicate continued high temperatures with no significant rain expected.

The Gard department in France is facing a serious drought, prompting officials to declare a vigilance level due to rapidly declining water resources. Reports from a July 4 meeting of the water resource committee indicated that recent hot and dry weather has significantly reduced the flow in local rivers, raising concerns about the drinking water supply.

Prefect Jérôme Bonet announced that all watersheds in the Gard region are now under vigilance, urging residents to conserve water. This decision follows a season that initially saw rainfall, but a prolonged period of high temperatures without expected precipitation has heightened the urgency of the situation. As assessments show initial tensions affecting drinking water infrastructure, authorities emphasize the need for responsible water usage among the public. They encourage citizens to stay informed about conservation measures through the national VigiEau portal, highlighting that reducing consumption is crucial to delaying more stringent restrictions.