Drought: water restrictions in 43 communes in the Alpes-Maritimes despite the return of storms

The Alpes-Maritimes prefecture is strengthening water usage restrictions effective July 25, 2026. Thirteen new municipalities are joining the scheme, bringing the number of affected territories to 43. At the same time, Météo-France has placed the department on yellow alert for thunderstorms and the risk of rain-flooding starting Saturday evening.

The hydrological situation continues to deteriorate in the Alpes-Maritimes. After several weeks of alertness, the prefecture announces a strengthening of water usage restrictions effective this Saturday, July 25. Thirteen additional municipalities are entering the scheme. From now on, 43 municipalities are subject to limitations in order to preserve water resources.

The new measures affect several river basins in the department. Twenty-four municipalities are placed on alert, fourteen on heightened alert and five in crisis, the highest level. The other municipalities remain at the vigilance stage, without mandatory restrictions but with a call to limit water consumption and adopt water-saving practices. This decision comes as water flow rates continue to decline and water consumption has been increasing for several months.

In municipalities placed on alert, car washing at home and filling individual swimming pools are prohibited. Watering green spaces, vegetable gardens, flower beds and golf courses is also prohibited between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Municipalities placed on heightened alert are subject to stricter measures. Car washing at home, filling individual swimming pools and watering green spaces are prohibited day and night. Beach showers must close. Golf courses must reduce their watering volumes by 60%, only at night.

In the five municipalities classified in crisis on the Cagne basin, restrictions are further tightened. Refilling individual swimming pools is prohibited. Car wash centers without recycling systems must close. Watering vegetable gardens, green spaces and golf courses is also subject to severe limitations. In Cagnes-sur-Mer, uses connected to the drinking water network follow the rules applicable to the Loup basin due to the municipality being supplied by this network.

Thunderstorms expected despite drought conditions

The strengthening of restrictions comes in a contrasting meteorological context. Météo-France has placed the Alpes-Maritimes on yellow alert for thunderstorms and the risk of rain-flooding starting Saturday at 9 p.m.

According to forecasters, a thunderstorm deterioration is expected to first affect Languedoc, the Cévennes and the south of the Massif Central before reaching Provence, the Southern Alps and then the Alpes-Maritimes in the evening. The Côte d’Azur coast is among the most exposed areas.

Météo-France warns that these thunderstorms could be accompanied by heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts and hail episodes. Precipitation amounts could also be locally significant. Despite these forecast bad weather, these precipitations will not be enough to compensate for several months of water deficit.

Since September 2025, the rainfall deficit has reached nearly 15.5% at the departmental scale, with more marked variations in certain areas. Temperatures above seasonal norms, low spring and early summer precipitation as well as the continued decline in river flow rates maintain strong pressure on water resources. State services warn that new restrictions could be decided in the coming weeks if the situation continues to deteriorate.