Most of the Vaucluse department has been placed on alert or enhanced drought alert, the prefecture announced Tuesday, because of "hydrological conditions (which) continue to deteriorate", among the worst in 150 years.
In mid-April, several basins in the department had already been placed on "alert". But rainfall has remained "largely deficient" and "since the beginning of the year, the cumulative rainfall deficit has now reached nearly 80%, making this period one of the three driest periods observed since 1871 in the Avignon region," said the prefect in a statement.
As a result, the basins of Sorgues, South-Luberon, Calavon-upstream and Nesque have been placed on heightened vigilance and those of Calavon-median and southwest of Mont-Ventoux on alert, said the prefect.
With the prefectures of the neighboring departments of Drôme and Hautes-Alpes, the Lez Provençal-Lauzon basin has been placed on heightened alert and those of Ouvèze Provençale and Aeygues on alert, the statement added.
The placement on enhanced alert implies in particular the reduction of 40% (Editor's note: 20% on alert) of water withdrawals, whatever the use, or the prohibition of irrigating from 09:00 to 19:00, with exceptions, that of watering lawns and flower beds, washing vehicles outside professional stations or filling private pools and spas as well as feeding public and private fountains in open circuit.
- Drought
- Planet
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- PACA
- Water restrictions