Swiss army makes incursion into France for water for cattle

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By MAGGY DONALDSON

PARIS (AP) — Swiss army helicopters have crossed the Franco-Swiss border in an unexpected incursion — to help thirsty Swiss cows.

The aerial operation to scoop up water caught authorities responsible for Rousses Lake in the Jura mountains by surprise last Thursday. The helicopters also startled swimmers and fishermen enjoying the beaches of the lake in eastern France.

Christophe Mathez, deputy mayor of the Les Rousses commune, said officials had "no idea this operation would occur" — and that the Swiss neither requested authorization or nor warned before descending.

Swiss media reported that the country's military did ask for permission — but from the French air force, not local authorities or the police.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ba1b6db599d04cf3b5f1828501adafb8/swiss-army-makes-incursion-france-water-cattle

[jwirr]

1. Makes one smile. Hopefully this will be seen for what it is and not some big military event. Anyone

know why there was a shortage of water?

[jtuck004]

6. Apparently there are countries where they like meat so much they will raise it despite the fact that

it takes more water and other resources than, say, grain crops.

Even if it is heating up their planet, and perhaps leading to the people's demise, the national attitude seems to be "fuck it, let's have hamburger".

Apparently in Switzerland too.

Switzerland: No water shortage despite melting glaciers
29 April 2013
Research in the ETH Domain reveals that the retreat of Swiss glaciers need not have a negative impact on either availability of water or hydroelectric power generation. Such concerns for the future, along with a further strengthening of energy research, are on the ETH Domain’s agenda for 2013. Looking to its international position, the ETH Board also encourages Switzerland to take part in the next European Framework Programme for Research.
...

http://www.ethrat.ch/en/node/3258

Was from 2013, where they are telling folks that the glaciers melting need not have a negative impact...

Makes me wonder who was fooling whom.

[Xithras]

9. In this case, it's actually cheese

The water wasn't for beef cattle, but for milk cows that produce the main ingredient for the regions famous cheeses.

[jwirr]

10. I thought about that as I read the post.

[LanternWaste]

13. A drought settled in over much of S & SW France in 2011 and many of its effects are still being felt

A drought settled in over much of S & SW France in 2011 and many of its effects are still being felt, with water restrictions still in place in over 30 districts (states).

[jwirr]

15. Thank you.

[Chasstev365]

2. Sounds like an Onion Article about how WW III started

Blame Switzerland!

[L0oniX]

3. Sylvania is threating to attack with rusty Swiss army knives.

[NCjack]

4. France has always wanted Switzerland, if for no other reason than to

correct their harsh French pronunciation.

[flamin lib]

5. Jade Helm 15 with a Swiss accent?

Never mind, I'm from Texas . . .

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. Ok, you had me at "Swiss Army Helicopter" ...

They would be awesome choppers, equipped with file, scissors, bottle opener, corkscrew, awl, saw, and, apparently, water scoopers.

[Myrina]

14. ^^ For the Win ^^

[GliderGuider]

18. Nice one!

[Bigmack]

21. STILL LOL'ing! nt

[rosesaylavee]

8. Reason for this? Climate Change induced Heat Wave

Switzerland, France and much of Europe has been experiencing record heat -- certainly that is affecting water levels and livestock.

http://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/jul/26/weatherwatch-heatwave-europe

In contrast to the wet and windy start to the summer in the northern half of Britain, the south-east of England is looking rather parched right now, even after the weekend’s rain. The south-east has been on the margin of a brutal heatwave which has taken grip in central and southern Europe, with temperatures reaching over 40C in many places. What is particularly shocking about this heat is its persistence, because it began early, in June. For now the extreme heat has returned to its more normal habitat, confining itself to north Africa and southern parts of the Mediterranean but over the past weeks long standing temperature records have been tumbling across Europe.

Germany’s all-time highest temperature record was broken on 5 July with 40.3C in Bavaria, and in the Netherlands, Maastricht set a new national record for July of 38.2C. Spain set new record temperatures for both May and June, and this month Geneva recorded the highest ever temperature in Switzerland north of the Alps, with 39.7C.

The impacts have been felt far and wide, especially in the power markets. Swiss and French nuclear power plants have been forced to reduce power output to avoid heating the Rhine and Aare rivers with their waste water. And, ironically, solar power plants have suffered slight reductions in power output because of the intense heat. Wildfires raging in Greece from heat and drought have sent up vast plumes of smoke that are clearly visible on satellite pictures. Such heat takes its toll on public health too: an estimated 700 people died in France in the heatwave at the end of June and early July.

[jwirr]

11. Sounds like it is not so much the cows that are heating up things as it is nuclear power plants.

Interesting about the solar plant. What exactly did the heat do to them.

It has been unusually hot this last month in MN and next week we are supposed to actually have three digit heat. I do not ever remember that happening here.

I have been watching the farm methods in California and next year our gardens are going to watered differently than today. Many things we need to learn. Thank you.

[rosesaylavee]

19. I am not sure I understand

climate change is a global phenomenon -- the heat waves in Europe and the SW United States, the warm winter and now summer in MN, my state of Illinois being the wettest state in the union last month -- these are all symptoms of a warming planet-- that is only getting warmer until we collectively do something. I am not sure about the reference you made to nuclear plants?

[jwirr]

20. The article talked about the fact that they had to limit their output because it was heating up the

rivers from its waste. Every little bit hurts. It is not just one thing that is causing climate change.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

12. Not on my watch. NT

[MisterP]

16. the Swiss do like their moo-moos: if they're abroad singing about them might literally kill them

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranz_des_Vaches

[Big Vincenz]

17. the swiss?

i thought they were small and neutral