Drought declared in 'almost three-quarters' of England: UK govt

LONDON: A staggering 71.3 percent of England is now in drought, according to the UK government, following the nation's driest July on record and the onset of multiple heatwaves. Parched parks and fields, river levels plummeting, and farmers facing dwindling crop yields paint a grim picture as the environment department warns of possible food shortages.

Almost three-quarters of England are currently experiencing drought conditions as the dry spell intensifies, with parts of central Midlands and northeast England joining other areas grappling with prolonged dry weather.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has classified most of England as being under a "flash drought," a rapid-onset phenomenon caused by low rainfall and soaring temperatures. This marks the third drought the typically unpredictable British climate has faced in the last five years. Over half of England was already declared in drought at the end of July, and Britain is bracing for a fifth heatwave this summer, with breaking temperature records shattering the norm.

As much of Europe anticipates another heatwave and prolonged dry spell, climate scientists caution that extreme weather events are becoming more intense and frequent due to climate change. England and Wales both experienced the driest July on record, with England receiving only 10 percent of its usual long-term average rainfall.

DEFRA has imposed irrigation restrictions on farmers and introduced a hosepipe ban in certain regions, with over 27 million people already living under water-use restrictions. Currently, 45 million people across the United Kingdom are residing in drought-affected areas, representing more than 65 percent of the total population.