Water levels in France’s small rivers and streams reached a historic low for this time of year at the end of July, Report informs, citing Le Figaro.
According to a report by the French Biodiversity Office, OFB, the country is facing a record drought. Fully dried-up sections have been recorded on 1,373 small rivers, with their number increasing by more than 550 in July alone.
The office said the current situation has surpassed the historic drought of 2022, when 112 fewer waterways dried up.
Critical drought conditions have been recorded across the country, with the regions from Vendée to Grand Est, as well as the central part of southern France, hit hardest.
The catastrophic situation was caused by three heatwaves this summer, an early spell of extreme heat in May and a prolonged lack of rainfall due to a persistent anticyclone.
