90% of monitored groundwater levels fell in August amid rainfall deficit, high water demand, says French Geological Survey.
Average summer temperature reached 75.7F, surpassing 2003 record, says new data analysis.
Temperatures reach 40C (104F) in some parts, setting new national September record.
Middle East war drives up energy costs, while El Nino brings record temperatures affecting harvests, extending cocoa’s rise since earlier this year to $6,771 per metric ton, experts say.
Combined death toll from flash floods, mudslides along Nepal-China border rises to 1,385, while 5,519 remain missing, say official data from 2 countries.