- Almost three-quarters (71.3 per cent) of England has now been officially declared in drought following persistent historically dry and hot weather, according to the National Drought Group.
- The East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs are the latest regions to move into official drought status.
- With no area in England currently deemed to be in normal status, all regions are experiencing severe pressure on water resources, impacting public supplies, agriculture, navigation, and the environment.
- The North East and Yorkshire have been moved to prolonged dry weather status, which represents the final stage before an official drought is declared.
- The ongoing water crisis follows provisional statistics showing that England and Wales recorded their driest July since 1836, with 19 English counties receiving no rain at all during the month.
IN FULL
