France was in the midst of its fourth heat wave of the year on Monday, as the country faced its worst drought on record, according to the government.
According to Meteo France, the heat wave began in the south and is predicted to sweep across the country until the weekend.
Overall, the southern half of France should expect daytime temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and nighttime temperatures of no less than 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) (68 F).
The high temperatures aren’t helping firemen battle a blaze in eastern France’s Chartreuse Mountains near the Alps, where officials have evacuated 140 people.
According to Meteo France, this week’s heat wave will be less extreme than the one that occurred last month, when numerous locations witnessed record-breaking temperatures. The extreme temperatures, however, are occurring with the most severe drought ever recorded, according to the authorities. July of this year was the driest since records began in 1959.
Some French farmers have noticed a decrease in output, particularly in soy, sunflower, and corn yields.
Water restrictions in force range from daytime irrigation prohibitions to limiting water consumption to humans, animals, and aquatic creatures to ensure their survival.
Last Monday, the administration said that more than 100 communities are unable to deliver drinking water through taps and require water truck supplies.
The heat also led EDF, the French energy company, to reduce electricity output at several of its nuclear stations, which utilize river water to cool reactors.
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