Thousands of homes and businesses without water as new heatwave looms

• Burst water pipes have left thousands of homes and businesses across London and Essex without supplies or facing low pressure as a fifth heatwave approaches.
• Thames Water confirmed 14 postcode areas are affected, with the BBC estimating 10,000 properties are impacted.
• A rare amber weather alert has been issued for the whole of England, with temperatures potentially climbing to 38C this week.
• The Met Office indicates this summer is on track to become the UK’s warmest since records began.
• Only average conditions over the remainder of August are required for the month to surpass the milestone set just last year.

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UK weather latest: More than 10,000 homes without water after Met Office says summer likely to be hottest on record