Fresh restrictions on hosepipe usage have taken effect across the UK, just as meteorologists warn that incoming rainfall could trigger flooding in drought-affected areas.
Following successive heatwaves and dry weather that left numerous regions facing water shortages, the Met Office confirmed that parts of the country will receive the "first meaningful rain for a long time" over the coming days.
Starting on Tuesday, the new hosepipe ban applies to all 1.4 million Wessex Water customers living across Bath, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire.
It represents the very first time the company has introduced such a restriction in 50 years, having last enforced one during the summer of 1976.
When announcing the temporary restriction, the supplier cited elevated consumer demand during dry spells alongside longer-term weather forecasts, explaining that water resources must be protected for both customers and the environment.
More than 27 million people across England now face hosepipe restrictions in their area.
Following the fifth heatwave of the summer, this week is forecast to be wetter with cooler conditions that are much closer to average for the time of year, the Met Office said.
Showers are expected on Tuesday in the north of the country, particularly in the North West, and another area of rain will move into the South West by the evening, the Met Office’s deputy chief forecaster Mike Silverstone said.
This will then likely spread east across the South, bringing the first spell of widespread rain to areas in need the most, he added.
“Thursday will be a day of heavy showers across much of the UK, while some of these will be heavy some areas will miss them altogether,” Mr Silverstone said.
“As some of these showers could be intense, there is a chance of some surface water flooding as the rain falls on very dry and hard ground.”
By Friday, the conditions are expected to turn drier once again through the weekend before more rain is forecast next week.
The change comes after the UK’s fifth heatwave of the summer, during which the hottest day of the year was recorded in Kew Gardens, London, on Thursday when temperatures reached 38.1C.
The forecast rain may bring some welcome relief to parched land and fire-fighters tackling wildfires.
But it is unlikely to bring an end to widespread drought conditions that have put severe pressure on wildlife, farmers, transport, emergency services infrastructure and water resources.
The BBC reported more than 8,000 South East Water customers across Kent have been affected by water supply issues, with some customers told it could be days before the issues are resolved.
The firm said the issues were the result of prolonged hot weather, high demand, recent pipe bursts and overnight power issues.
Mike Pickard, incident support manager at the water company, told the broadcaster: “It’s an ongoing challenge for us at the moment and we apologise sincerely to all affected customers.”
He added: “Our team is exhausted and being pushed to limits to make sure water is running.”
Among the driest areas in the UK are Wisley in Surrey, which has recorded 61 consecutive dry days since June 17, and Heathrow in Greater London, which has measured 55 consecutive dry days since June 23, according to Met Office data.
Wildfires have ravaged parts of the UK following the hot and dry summer, including in the West Midlands where a blaze in Stourbridge destroyed 19 homes.
Several fire services have asked people to call 999 only to report a genuine emergency.
In an update on Monday, the National Fire Chiefs Council said 1,132 wildfires have now been recorded across England and Wales in 2026 so far – a record high for the amount between January and this time of year.
On Friday evening, millions of people in England and Wales received an alert on their mobile devices warning them of a “very high risk of wildfires nationally”.
Heavy rain brings flood threat as ‘shock’ temperature drop set to hit UK
Water reserves ‘critically low’ fter thousands affected by outage
Latest hosepipe ban comes into force as forecasters warn of flooding
Heavy rain to bring threat of floods after another hosepipe ban announced
Wladimir Klitschko feeling ‘shock and grief’ at death of Hayden Panettiere
UK job vacancies slip to five-year low in latest worrying sign for economy
