Almost Three-Quarters of England Now in Drought
Almost three-quarters of England is now officially in drought, the Environment Agency said, after further regions were added following the driest July on record. Water restrictions are spreading across the country as a fifth heatwave builds, with temperatures forecast towards 36C. Farmers have warned of serious damage to crops and rising food prices.
The declaration formalises what parched fields, shrinking reservoirs and a rash of wildfires have made plain: England is running dangerously short of water. Hosepipe bans now affect tens of millions, and utilities have signalled tighter restrictions on car washes and swimming pools to come. Farmers warn that the drought is hitting yields of everything from vegetables to cereals, threatening the worst blow to food production in years and further pressure on prices. Amber heat-health alerts cover much of the country as the heat returns. Scientists link the lengthening dry spells to a warming climate. Watch how far the drought spreads and whether meaningful rain arrives.