-
Increased fire safety audits are forcing bars across France to close
Inspections follow deadly blaze in Swiss nightclub on January 1
-
Photos: widespread flooding in Brittany as warnings continue
Storm Ingrid causes rivers to overflow across much of the region
-
More bank branches in France are closing
Some 3% of branches are shutting every year, reports banking union
France’s groundwater levels low but not worrying
Groundwater tables are lower than last year, aggravated by early summer heatwaves – but there is no need for worry, says France’s official geological survey body in a new report.
It comes despite seven communes in Corrèze, Limousin, bringing in water by tanker for 4,000 residents in August.
Water restrictions have been applied to more than 80 departments since June, some at ‘critical level,’ meaning farmers cannot water crops and residents can only use water for drinking and hygiene for most of the day.
However the Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières said ground water levels, which provide 68% of domestic water, often work in six to seven-year cycles and are set to rise this winter.
Violent storms in August did not help as rain ran over hard, dry ground rather than soaking in.
The worst-affected areas are Alsace, Limousin, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne.
