French heatwave update July 7: 61 departments on heightened alert
Water use is above average and hospitals are preparing for a rise in heat-related symptoms
Temperatures of at least 30C are forecast across the country, rising to 35C in Paris and potentially 42C in Bordeaux
Vernerie Yann/Shutterstock
France is enduring its third major heatwave of the year, with extreme temperatures expected to continue on Wednesday.
State forecaster Météo France has placed 61 departments on a heightened tier-three orange warning for heatwaves today, ranging from Brittany and Paris to the Spanish border and the Mediterranean.
New warnings are set to be implemented from tomorrow (July 8) in the north of France.
Temperatures of at least 30C are forecast across the country, rising to 35C in Paris and potentially 40C in the south-west, and possibly higher in Gironde and Bordeaux.
Heatwave conditions are expected until at least the weekend, possibly next week.
France remains on alert
The arrival of three major heatwaves in six weeks across France has led to increased water consumption across both France and Europe.
Between 15% - 20% more water has been consumed than is typical for the season, said the Fédération nationale des collectivités concédantes et régies (FNCCR, manager of public services).
Rural and agricultural areas have been hit particularly hard by water shortages.
As of 10:00 this morning, 87 departments face either tap water restrictions or usage alerts, with more than 700 communes having restrictions in place.
However, significantly more restrictions are in place when accounting for other water sources (rivers and wells) as well as restrictions on all water types for agricultural purposes.
Full information on restrictions can be found via the VigiEau website – our article here explains how the site works.
The healthcare sector remains on alert and is anticipating another spike in hospital admissions resulting from the extended heatwave.
Last week, the French hospital federation (Fédération Hospitalière de France, FHF) demanded extra funds to equip hospitals for future heatwave crises.
The government has kept France at level three of its ORSAN crisis plan for heatwaves, the highest possible for ongoing incidents, due to the heatwave.
Tips on how to stay cool are available here, and check on how to register vulnerable people on local heatwave registers here.
Senate examines housing law
The Senate will examine the government’s housing bill today, which includes a number of propositions to alleviate climate and heatwave issues.
Among these are plans to allow energy-inefficient homes (those ranked ‘F’ or ‘G’ on the energy ranking scale) back on the rental market, providing landlords sign a contract to agree to eventually renovate them.
While it will introduce around 700,000 properties back onto the market in the midst of a housing crisis, concerns over the suitability of these properties have been raised.
The Fondation logement des défavorisés estimates that up to five million properties in France are ‘thermal kettles’ unsuited for heatwaves.
Communist senator Ian Brossat said he will introduce a motion allowing authorities to requisition air-conditioned spaces for public use during heatwaves.
He believes it is an interim solution before wider changes to public policy, including better cooling mechanisms for homes, are introduced.
