MAP: areas of France suffering most from groundwater shortages

Many areas of France are still suffering from groundwater shortages after the dry autumn has not let water tables refill.

Water tables are usually replenished by the autumn rains, but the record breaking warm autumn weather has prevented this from happening in 2023.

“The situation is of great concern in some areas,” said Violaine Bault from the Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières (BRGM), which monitors the water tables.

“It really depends on the sector: some areas are really worrying, particularly along the Rhône-Saône corridor, in Roussillon, and the Côte d'Azur and Var, where it is getting worse year on year,” she told FranceInfo.

In other areas the water tables are relatively healthy due to receiving more plentiful rainfall in spring and summer.

How low are the water tables in France?

"Usually vegetation becomes dormant in autumn and requires less water, so the first storms of September begin to refill the water tables,” Ms Bault said.

Autumnal weather is on its way, albeit later than usual, with a significant drop in temperature forecast from October 14.

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