Seven areas across central, eastern and southern England have been declared as officially in drought
Half of England is officially in drought after a record dry spell and high temperatures, the Environment Agency has said.
Seven areas across central, eastern and southern England have been declared as in drought, including East Anglia, Hertfordshire, London, Thames Valley, Hampshire & the Isle of Wight, Devon & Cornwall, the West Midlands and Wessex – the latter of which covers Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and south Gloucestershire.
July is set to be the driest month on record, with England having just 7 per cent of expected rainfall, and southern England seeing just 1 per cent.
As such, swathes of the country are now experiencing a flash drought – one which has come on swiftly despite a wet winter.
It comes as health alerts issued by the the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have come into effect for large parts of the country.
An amber heat health alert is in place for the East Midlands, east of England, London and south east until Thursday, 30 July at 9am.
Meanwhile, a yellow heat health alert is in force for the West Midlands, south west and Yorkshire and the Humber during the same period.
There have been three droughts in the past five years: 2022, 2025 and 2026.
Helen Wakeham, director of water at the Environment Agency and chairwoman of the National Drought Group, said: “The hot and dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it.
“A second consecutive summer drought is an exceptionally serious situation and one that will have long-lasting impacts on our environment, wildlife and the economy.
“We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated during the hot weather but every drop we can save is a drop more for nature and agriculture.”
According to the Environment Agency, “droughts are natural events that cannot be defined, as every drought is different.”
It adds: “Whilst they are all caused by a shortage of rainfall, the characteristics (including timing, duration, impacts on people, the environment, agriculture and business) can vary.”
The agency lists three different main types of drought, including agricultural drought – “when there isn’t enough rainfall and moisture in soils to support crop production or farming practices” – environmental drought and water supply drought “when a lack of rainfall leads to concerns from water companies about supplies for their customers”.
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