Manche Department Declared in Total Drought Crisis Amid Severe Water Shortages

The Manche department in Normandy has been officially declared in a state of total drought crisis as of August 2026, with unprecedented environmental and water resource challenges. An August 11 water resource committee meeting revealed alarmingly low flows in rivers and coastal streams critical for drinking water supply. Notably, seven rivers in Manche were completely dry before August 15—a first in recorded history for the region. 2026 marks the year with the second lowest total rainfall since 1976, known for its severe drought, and no significant rain is forecasted in the coming days.

The ongoing drought is compounded by prolonged dryness of soils, a fifth heatwave, and persistent northeast winds, severely impacting all sectors across the department. Local governments, businesses, residents, and tourists are required to comply with stringent water use restrictions to conserve remaining resources. The vital agricultural livestock sector faces pronounced risks, and farmers have been urged to report any well depletion to authorities promptly.

For up-to-date information on water restrictions, stakeholders are directed to consult the official government monitoring site, https://vigieau.gouv.fr/. The crisis signals a critical need for collective conservation efforts to mitigate further environmental damage and safeguard water supplies in Manche.

While a nationwide heatwave is ending with incoming thunderstorms and cooler temperatures in other regions, no immediate weather relief is expected in Manche, prolonging the stressful drought conditions into late summer.