France facing unprecedented drought crisis, minister of ecology says

France is facing an exceptional and unusually early drought that has created an extremely alarming situation, Minister for Ecological Transition Monique Barbut said during a meeting of the country's crisis committee.

According to her, the drought began nearly a month earlier than usual, despite spring rainfall remaining within normal levels, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Barbut stressed that climate change is causing a "profound disruption of the water cycle" and noted that soil moisture levels are approaching record lows.

In her words, restrictions on water use have been introduced in a record number of French departments — 99 in total.

Of these, 43 have been placed under the highest level of alert, under which water resources are reserved for priority needs.

"This is an unprecedented situation since the introduction of national monitoring in 2012," Barbut stated.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov