Source: Copernicus

Environment

Drought: desertification of the Pyrénées-Orientales seen from the sky

In three years, Spain's border department has seen its landscapes burned by drought. And fears, already, a devastating summer.

Marie Campistron, Victor Alexandre and Stanislas de Livonnière

Last update: 15/05/2023

Dry lakes, water tables at their lowest, fires... Summer is not yet here, but concern is already spreading to the Pyrénées-Orientales. Faced with an exceptional drought, the department, now in a situation of "crisis", has put in place new restrictions. But the lack of water is already redrawing the landscapes. Proof seen from the sky.

A welcome rain, but too late

In this spring of 2023, the territory is cut in two, between a North rehumidified by a rainy spring and a South suffering from a historic drought.

A lack of rain in southern France

Source: Météo France - Credit: Le Parisien

A lack of rain in southern France

Source: Météo France - Credit: Le Parisien

A lack of rain in southern France

Source: Météo France - Credit: Le Parisien

The rains in April were not enough to reduce the lack of water throughout the country.

The Mediterranean region suffers from a shortage that is still worrying. Some villages have already faced a drying up of their drinking water reserves.

Concerns are mainly focused on the Pyrénées-Orientales where several fires have broken out in recent weeks.

The drought of the Pyrénées-Orientales seen from the sky

Images taken from space thanks to the European Copernicus satellite reveal the extent of the phenomenon on the department. The aridity of the soils resembles that which would normally be encountered in June, according to meteorologists.

Roussillon in May 2020

Source: Copernicus

Roussillon in May 2023

Source: Copernicus

Roussillon in May 2023

Source: Copernicus

Roussillon in May 2023

Source: Copernicus

Here we are in the Pyrénées-Orientales in 2020.

In three years, vegetation has lost its density along the Mediterranean coast...

The drought, coupled with gusty winds, has pushed authorities to tighten water restrictions to save groundwater. The sale of above ground pools is prohibited, as is the watering of lawns and green spaces.

Vegetation has also burned in the Roussillon plain and in the hinterland.

Some water points are dried up, such as the Agly Valley dam to the north or the Vinça dam, located on the Têt, the largest river in the Pyrénées-Orientales.

The restrictions concern the catchment areas of the Agly and Têt, the two main rivers of Roussillon, where agricultural activity is concentrated, and the Mediterranean coast, where seaside resorts are located.

So far, it has rained a little less than 180 mm since September... while an average of 450 mm was expected, according to the Syndicat mixte des nappes de la plaine du Roussillon, responsible for their protection.

"The three coastal rivers, the Agly, the Têt and the Tech, have flows that correspond to those observed during the crisis in summer"

Hichem Tachrift, hydrogeologist at the Syndicat mixte des nappes de la Plaine du Roussillon

In the long term, the department risks a break in the supply of drinking water and the intensification of fire starts, favored by the dryness of the soil, the heat but also the wind.

Areas suffering from water stress

The extent of the drought is still striking if we take a closer look at the soil moisture index. This tool makes it possible to monitor changes in the water content of plants. Water stress is synonymous with water scarcity.

See alsoDrought: are we ready to consume less water?

This scarcity of water has consequences on plants and trees, which see their growth reduced. Water quality can also be affected by pollution caused by organic matter, but also by the appearance of invasive plant and animal species disturbing the usual ecosystem.

Soil moisture in Roussillon in 2020

Source: Copernicus

Soil moisture in Roussillon in 2023

Source: Copernicus

Soil moisture in Roussillon in 2023

Source: Copernicus

Soil moisture in Roussillon in 2023

Source: Copernicus

Satellite images also record soil moisture levels. The more an area tends towards orange or even red, the more its soil experiences intense water stress.

In May 2020, after a rather rainy April, the soils were dry only in the north of the department and in the heart of Perpignan.

The situation is much more worrying in 2023, where the phenomenon affects almost the entire department.

Vegetation turns yellow and dries out, threatening biodiversity.

Water stress is observed from the station of Leucate to the city of Perpignan and Cerbère.

But also in certain areas of the watershed, weakening watercourses.

An extreme drought that can promote fires. The Pyrénées-Orientales have already been affected by several fires such as Saint-Cyprien, Argelès-sur-Mer or Cerbère, last month.

What summer are the inhabitants of the region preparing to live? As summer approaches, communities are speeding up brush clearing operations and firefighters are redoubling their efforts and training in the face of the risk of fires.

" READ ALSO Drought in the Pyrénées-Orientales: tourism professionals want to save the season

At the same time, the authorities are scrutinizing the state of dams and groundwater, which continue to run out. The measures taken between now and the summer will then aim to avoid, or at least delay, a worst-case scenario, that of a water war between inhabitants, already observed last year.