French Town Asks People to Save Water After Drought Worsens
Listen to the story
A town in Haute-Savoie, in the French Alps, has told residents to reduce their water use immediately. Local leaders warned that "the situation is serious" because of a severe water shortage.
The drought affecting France has worsened in recent weeks, especially in the Haute-Savoie region. Long periods without enough rain have left rivers and streams with much lower water levels than usual.
One example is the Usses river. Several of its tributaries, the smaller streams that flow into it, have already dried up completely. As a result, the river has now reached what officials call a "crisis" level, the most serious stage of drought alert.
In France, drought levels usually move from "vigilance" to "alert" and then to "crisis," with each stage bringing stricter rules on water use. At the crisis stage, authorities can limit how much water people and businesses are allowed to use.
Local officials in the affected commune are now urging everyone, including households, farmers and businesses, to cut their water consumption right away. They say quick action is needed to protect what water remains, especially since summer weather often increases demand while reducing supply.
This situation reflects a wider pattern of drought problems across parts of France this year, as several regions report unusually dry rivers and falling groundwater levels.
Vocabulary5 words
- shortage
- not having enough of something
- drought
- a long period with little or no rain
- tributary
- a small river that flows into a bigger one
- alert
- a warning that something dangerous may happen
- consumption
- the amount of something that people use
Quiz
Answer key
1. A drought with too little rain 2. They have completely dried up 3. Crisis
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A town in Haute-Savoie, in the French Alps, has told residents to _____ their water use immediately. Local leaders warned that "the situation is _____" because of a severe water shortage.
The _____ affecting France has worsened in recent weeks, especially in the Haute-Savoie region. Long periods without enough rain have left rivers and streams with much _____ water levels than usual.
One example is the Usses river. Several of its _____, the smaller streams that flow into it, have already dried up completely. As a result, the river has now reached what officials call a "_____" level, the most serious stage of drought alert.
Local officials in the affected commune are now urging everyone, including households, farmers and businesses, to cut their water _____ right away.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think local officials asked people to act 'immediately' instead of waiting?
- How might a drought at 'crisis' level affect ordinary people's daily lives?
- What are some easy ways people can reduce their water consumption at home?
- Do you think droughts like this one will become more common? Why or why not?