Five regions across England have officially declared a drought due to persistent dry weather and ongoing heatwaves. These regions include Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, the East Midlands, and the West Midlands. Additionally, six other areas are experiencing prolonged dry conditions, which is the phase preceding a full drought declaration. This situation is prompting widespread hosepipe bans, with Yorkshire Water already implementing one and Thames, South East, and Southern Water having postcode-specific restrictions, affecting an estimated 23 million customers.
The drought has led to significant impacts across various sectors. Reservoir levels across England have fallen to 67.7% of capacity, considerably below the average of 80.5% for the first week of August, with some reservoirs like Blithfield and Derwent Valley being less than 50% full. July saw only 89% of the long-term average rainfall, marking the sixth consecutive month of below-average precipitation. The National Farmers' Union (NFU) vice-president, Rachel Hallos, highlighted that farming yields are significantly down, causing financial devastation for farms and potentially affecting the UK's overall harvest. Moreover, the cost of farm fires in the UK increased by 37% to an estimated £110.3 million in 2023, exacerbated by the dry conditions.
The National Drought Group (NDG) has declared the water shortfall a "nationally significant incident." The Environment Agency's Helen Wakeham urged everyone to play their part in reducing pressure on water resources. Water minister Emma Hardy acknowledged a growing water shortage for the next decade and emphasized the need for investment in new reservoirs. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat health alert for large parts of England, including London and the South East, as temperatures are forecast to exceed 30C, possibly reaching over 35C in some areas. The dry weather is also negatively impacting river health, leading to low oxygen levels, fish deaths, and increased algae growth.
