From Floods to Historic Drought: How France's Rivers Vanished After Record Rains

France is grappling with an "historic" drought, a stark contrast to the record-breaking rainfall and flooding that saturated the country less than six months prior. By August 1, 43% of monitored rivers had ceased flowing, a situation the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) described as the "most critical ever recorded at this period."

The dramatic shift has left meteorologists baffled. Between January and March 2026, France experienced its longest period of sustained precipitation since 1959. Rivers like the Loire, Charente, and Garonne overflowed, with some regions receiving a full winter's worth of rain in just one month. This deluge saturated the ground, setting the stage for the subsequent rapid disappearance of water.

Adrien Thomas, a meteorologist with La Chaîne Météo, called the situation an "anomaly." The rapid transition from widespread flooding to severe drought highlights the unpredictable nature of the country's climate and raises concerns about water management and the impact on ecosystems.