All regions experience pressure on water resources, with increasing impacts across agriculture and public supplies.
On Monday, the National Drought Group warned that almost three-quarters of England is now in drought as conditions worsen following a dry start to August. The group, made up of regulators, government officials, water companies and agricultural bodies, made the announcement after a meeting.
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It warned that all regions of England are experiencing pressure on their water resources, with increasing impacts across agriculture, public supplies, navigation and the environment.
The East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, Solent and the South Downs became the latest areas to move into drought status on Monday.
The move means 71.3 percent of England is now experiencing a flash drought, which has developed very quickly due to a combination of very low rainfall and higher temperatures. Around 45 million people in England are now living in drought areas, with over 27 million people under restrictions on water use.
The changes follow the driest July in 190 years, while rainfall so far in August has amounted to just 5 percent of the expected level. “There are warnings of more dry weather and another heatwave on the way,” the UK government said.
United Kingdom
Health warnings regarding a heatwave covering most of England have been issued, with temperatures expected to reach 37°C in the southeast on Thursday.
This coincides with expanding drought conditions following seven consecutive weeks of low rainfall, as… pic.twitter.com/TKUbFpIO1x
— sustainme.in® (@sustainme_in) August 10, 2026
Tony Grayling, Strategic Drought Lead at the Environment Agency and Chair of the National Drought Group, said drought conditions are worsening and will continue to do so until there is significant and sustained rainfall.
“The hot and dry weather is taking a real toll on farming and there will be long-lasting impacts on our environment,” Grayling said.
The British government has stepped up its drought response and is actively considering ways to provide more support to the farming sector.
Britain’s Water Minister Emma Hardy said: “We know how challenging this summer has been, especially for our hard-working farmers who are at the sharp end of climate change and an increasing number of floods and droughts.”
teleSUR/ JF
Source: Xinhua
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