Drought alert in the Alpes-Maritimes

The drought alert triggered in April in the Alpes-Maritimes due to the rainfall deficit has been extended to the entire department, the prefecture announced on Tuesday. In total, 153 of the 163 municipalities in the department are on drought alert, the second of the four levels of drought. Only 10 towns escape it, including Cannes, Mougins and Mandelieu-la-Napoule because they are connected to the Siagne canal, itself fed by Saint-Catien lake.

Part of the department was placed on drought alert on April 29. “Since then, rainfall has remained lacking, driving the water tables and watercourses to abnormally low levels for the season”, explained during a press conference Pascal Jobert, departmental director of territories and the sea (DDTM ) of the Alpes-Maritimes. Over the groundwater recharge season, which runs from September to March, the rainfall balance shows a deficit of “40 to 60% depending on the sector compared to normal”, he said, adding that the groundwater water tables “have reached very low levels, never reached in this season and which are generally reached in autumn”. Another index is that of soil humidity, which is low, “at a level that only occurs one year in ten,” said Mr. Jobert.

This prefectural decision entails restrictive measures for farmers and industries and for individuals who are prohibited from filling swimming pools or private spas, washing cars and watering between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. The municipalities must close the fountains, the water games and no longer wash the roads with plenty of water. “We have started to carry out educational controls which will become repressive,” warned Mr. Jobert. Any offender incurs a 5th category fine and a fine of up to 1,500 euros. “The situation is unprecedented. If the drought is confirmed, the measures will go crescendo”, he noted, stressing that the Var was approaching the situation of the Alpes-Maritimes. Two other levels can still be triggered: the heightened alert level and the crisis level.