France declares drought areas, warns elderly

PARIS, June 13 (Reuters) France declared a drought in 15 departments today as temperatures climbed above seasonal norms and officials took early steps to protect the elderly who were vulnerable during a 2003 heat wave that killed thousands.

Temperatures in Paris and other regions topped an above-average 30 degrees centigrade (86 degrees Fahrenheit) for the fourth day, national weather agency Meteo France said.

Temperatures are expected to stay high again tomorrow.

The 15 departments were mainly in the south of France or the central region near Paris.

The ecology ministry described the drought in two of France's 96 departments -- in Seine-et Marne to the south east of Paris and in Tarn in the south -- as ''worrying''.

Restrictions, including a ban on the use of hosepipes for watering gardens, was put in place in nine departments.

On June 1, Meteo France said rainfall in a large part of the country was below the seasonal average between October 2005 and March 31, 2006.

Yesterday, the government said the elderly and other vulnerable groups should drink plenty of water and if necessary spend at least three hours a day in a cool place such as a large shop, cinema or other public place to escape the heat.

Despite boasting one of the world's best health services, some 15,000 people died in a 2003 heat wave that saw bodies piled in morgues and unclaimed corpses buried in paupers' graves.

The crisis prompted a bout of national soul-searching over the plight of the elderly, the breakdown of family ties and the selfishness of modern society.

REUTERS DH RAI0201