Almost three-quarters of England now in drought, UK government says
LONDON — Almost three-quarters of England is now in drought, the British government said on Monday, highlighting the worsening impact of prolonged dry weather on agriculture, public water supplies and wildlife. Most of the country, 71.3 percent, is now experiencing a flash drought caused by a combination of very low rainfall and higher temperatures. That has risen since late July, when almost…
Almost three-quarters of England is currently experiencing drought, according to the UK government, underscoring the growing effects of extended dry weather on farming, water supplies, and ecosystems. Around 71.3% of the nation is now grappling with a flash drought, a result of insufficient rainfall and elevated temperatures. This situation has escalated since late July, when nearly half of England was first declared in drought.
The updated data indicates that 45 million individuals reside in areas affected by drought, while an additional 27 million face restrictions on water consumption. The country is enduring its fifth heatwave of the year, with England and Wales recording their driest July in over 190 years. Southeast England has received only 1% of its typical average rainfall.
Water Minister Emma Hardy acknowledged the difficulty of the summer and pledged additional support, including measures to facilitate farmers in constructing on-site irrigation reservoirs. However, the problem persists as rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater levels continue to decrease, exacerbated by the ongoing hot and dry conditions.
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