Summer may be hot. The northern prefecture has just placed several territories on drought alert after noting the deterioration of the state of certain rivers. "In this context, everyone is invited to use water in moderation and to show good citizenship," said the prefect, Michel Lalande, in a press release.
For three years in a row, the department has been hit by repeated droughts. At the start of the year, the month of February, which was particularly rainy, nevertheless allowed “a late but sufficient recharge of the water tables over a large part of the territory,” specifies the prefecture.
Peaks in consumption
But since then, hot dry weather with temperatures well above average, has caused a general decline in river flows. The Nord department was then placed on drought vigilance until June 30, jointly with Pas-de-Calais.
"The deconfinement and the gradual return of economic activities, coupled with the particularly mild climate, have led to spikes in consumption which, if this persisted, could aggravate the sectors with the most fragile water tables," notes the prefecture.
This is especially the case for the Yser basin, in Flanders, which finds itself in "enhanced alert". The upstream Sambre and Scarpe basins, south of the department, are placed on alert. The rest of the North remains vigilant until July 31.
Society
Météo-France predicts a hotter and drier than normal summer
Lille
Rarely has it rained as much, but the North remains on drought alert
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- Lille
- Weather forecast
- Drought
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