Alert on the hydrological situation of the Upper Corsica. Faced with a degraded situation in the department, the prefect, Michel Prosictook measures aimed at “preserve water resources.”
Following the last drought committee, which was held on May 31, 2024, in the presence of all stakeholders concerned by water management, the State representative reported in a press release released this Friday, June 7 ‘a “exceptional drought” due in particular to the lack of precipitation. Particularly in Cap Corse and on the Eastern Plain, which experience a strong deficit of around 60%indicates the prefecture, between September 2023 and May 2024.
“Record values”
“These are record values for the Eastern Plain and values not seen since 1989 in Cap Corse and the Bastia region”, underline the authorities. According to the prefecture, the soil humidity index and the monitoring of hydraulic structures present a worrying situation. Example: storage worksCorsican Hydraulic Equipment Office (OEHC) have a filling rate of 73% across the entire department of Haute-Corse, compared to 93% in 2023 at the same period, i.e. a deficit of 6.4 million cubic meters of water.
“In view of these indicators presenting significant fragility and future weather forecasts, it is necessary to preserve the water resource in order to be able to have this resource available until the fall and the next recharge season”explains the prefecture.
The authorities are calling for sobriety in the use of water and are preparing to place it on “alert”, as soon as Monday June 10the areas of Nebbio, of Cape Corsica and some Eastern plain.
A series of restrictions
In total, 137 municipalities are affected by this prefectural decree, out of the 236 in the department. This decision has the effect of imposing restrictions in order to ensure the preservation of the resource: watering of vegetable gardens and sports fields is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the municipalities concerned by this decree, as well as the watering lawns, flower beds, wooded areas, golf courses between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
It is also prohibited to fill and drain private swimming pools, except in the case of topping up and first filling.
Except for health reasons, washing public spaces is also prohibited, as is washing vehicles, boats and watercraft in private homes.
Faced with the seriousness of the situation, Farmersindicates the prefecture, have also agreed to set up water towers since June 3: each sector observes a shutdown cycle for 24 hours.
More information to come.
