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A 'catastrophe naturelle' has been recognised in 70 communes in 12 departments, after subsidence caused by the rehydration of drought-affected land in 2016.

But time is running out for victims to claim compensation for a natural disaster. Most home insurance policies include cover for natural disasters but insurers only pay out once a natural disaster has been declared by ministerial decree. Anyone affected has 10 days to make an insurance claim from the date of the decree - which, in this instance was published on October 20.

It means that those affected must make their claim by Monday.

The affected communes are

They are in the following 12 departments: Allier, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Aude, Bouches-du-Rhône, Côte-d'Or, Gard, Haute-Garonne, Gers, Hérault, Indre, Puy-de-Dôme, and Tarn-et-Garonne.

Read more: Insurance: natural disaster zone