AURILLAC - drought concerns have spread to Aurillac in southcentral France, where local authorities have begun to voice concern over the "Eclat" street-theatre festival due to be held in August.

The usual influx of over 30,000 tourists would put an unacceptable strain on resources given the current lack of water, and so the local mayor has planned emergency measures if the skies do not darken soon. The hot weather also means an increased possibility of hail storms -- capable of wiping out hectares of vines.

In the southeastern French Rhone-Alpes region, the harvest is expected to begin exceptionally early, on August 20, after an inordinate amount of sunshine. Unseasonal heat in Switzerland brought joy to those attending the Montreux Jazz Festival, but has been blamed for several drownings in Swiss lakes as crowds flock to bathe.

It is thought the ambiant temperature difference between the hot air and cool Alpine waters may be to blame. Meanwhile, hot temperatures in Belgium have thankfully been accompanied by the usual levels of rainfall. A heat wave hit record levels in June in Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain and some parts of the Balkans.

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