Heatwave in France: Highest Alert Level in 72 Departments, Drinking Water Running Low in the Paris Suburbs

In view of the heatwave in France with temperatures above 40 degrees, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu declared the highest crisis mode for the healthcare system. He said: "Die Hitzewelle in unserem Land hält unvermindert an und der Druck auf unser Gesundheitssystem nimmt weiter zu." The crisis mode includes a comprehensive mobilization with an increase in staff at hospitals, an adjustment of hospital operations to ensure the management of the heatwave, as well as the postponement of non-urgent procedures.

Crisis Mode for the Healthcare System

The mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire, also raised the alarm. He told the channel TF1: "Die Sterblichkeitsrate steigt, (...) fast alle Indikatoren weisen auf eine schwierige Lage hin. Das betrifft sowohl die Einsätze des Rettungsdienstes als auch die Einsätze der Feuerwehr, die Einweisungen in die Notaufnahme und die Todesfälle." The Paris mayor Emmanuel Grégoire spoke of a rising number of heat-related deaths.

According to Grégoire, those particularly affected are not only classic risk groups, but also people between 50 and 70 years old who underestimate the effects of the heat and continue their usual activities. Temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees are widely expected again, with storms anticipated in some areas, before temperatures are expected to drop slightly from Friday.

Drinking Water Running Low in the Paris Suburbs

In several places in the Paris suburbs, drinking water is meanwhile becoming scarce. Water consumption had risen by about 30 percent in the area due to the heatwave. As a result, the water supply network was no longer sufficient, as the company Veolia announced on Thursday. According to the company, a total of about 8,300 people were affected; residents of nine villages in the Val d'Oise department were to be supplied with plastic bottles for the time being.

During earlier heat periods, water shortages had already occurred more frequently in France, but more often in the south of the country and in midsummer. Shortages now affecting the Paris suburbs is new.

Impact on Energy Supply

The energy infrastructure is also suffering under the ongoing heat. The state-owned electricity company EDF took three nuclear reactors offline due to the heatwave. At other power plants, electricity production was reduced. The reason is the rising water temperature in the rivers from which cooling water for the nuclear plants is drawn. The aim is to prevent the temperature in the rivers from exceeding set limits due to the reintroduction of the heated cooling water. The affected power plants were Bugey, Nogent-sur-Seine, and Golfech.

The restrictions caused a reduction in electricity production of 3.5 percent of the output of French nuclear power plants. This affects more departments than ever before, as Météo France emphasized. The peak of the heatwave was expected in France on Thursday, bringing the hottest days and warmest nights since records began.

Dangers at the Canal Saint-Martin

Despite the warnings, many people seek refreshment in the waters of the capital. At the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris, which is popular with tourists and has been opened for swimming due to the heat, dangerous scenes are nevertheless occurring. In particular, the prohibited jumping from bridges into the canal resulted in about 50 minor injuries, the mayor said. The authorities called on the population to use the designated areas.

The crisis mode is to remain in effect until temperatures drop noticeably. From Friday, meteorologists expect a slight easing, although storms are anticipated in some areas. The government announced that it would continue to monitor the situation closely.