Satellite pictures reveal huge impact of ‘exceptional’ UK drought and heatwaves

The UK is experiencing its second drought in two years as very low rainfall and high temperatures are damaging the natural environment, water reserves and public health.

The Environment Agency has confirmed that there is an official drought in seven regions across England, affecting up to 28 million people – almost half the country’s population.

These areas are mostly in the central, eastern and southern regions, but prolonged drought has also been declared in the North West and East Midlands.

July is expected to be the driest month on record for the UK, according to the Environment Agency. The country is expected to see only seven percent of expected rainfall this month, with only one percent in southern regions.

Satellite images reveal the impact of prolonged dry conditions, where severe browning can be seen and reservoirs show signs of depletion:

Helen Wakeham, Environment Agency water director and chair of the National Drought Group, said: “Hot, dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it.

“A second consecutive summer drought is extremely serious and will have long-lasting impacts on our environment, wildlife and economy.

Drought areas include East Anglia, Hertfordshire and all of London, the Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, the West Midlands and Wessex; It covers Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

These conditions mark a sudden departure from the wet winter seen only a few months ago, which contributed to the replenishment of reservoirs and groundwater affected by last year’s drought.

The drought warning comes as parts of the UK are experiencing their fourth heatwave of the year, with temperatures reaching the 30s again in some places.

It follows record-breaking heat waves in May, June and earlier this month. The conditions led to wildfires across the country as millions were banned from using hoses.

A new June temperature record of 38C was recently set by the Met Office, down from the provisional figure of 37.7C.

Water Minister Emma Hardy said: “Our climate is changing, droughts are becoming more common and we need to be prepared for this new normal.

“We are delivering long-term change in the water industry and making record investments in infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs.

“We expect water companies to follow their drought plans, go further and faster to reduce leaks and ensure supplies are not disrupted even in the driest weather.”

Experts have warned that the extreme weather is evidence of human-caused climate change, driven largely by the burning of fossil fuels.

Parts of eastern England are expected to reach 35°C again on Wednesday; This will be the seventh day in 2026 when temperatures reach this level.

This has already surpassed the record of five 35°C days per year set during the 1976 heat wave.

Light rain is expected at the weekend as temperatures decrease.

But Mark Sidaway, the Met Office’s deputy head of forecasting, said: “It looks like rain amounts for many will be quite modest and will not offset the deficit we have recorded this summer.

“It is still possible that some areas in the south will miss the rainfall and see little or no rainfall.”

Bushfire conditions will also remain high, with fire chiefs warning people to take “simple precautions” to prevent fires, such as avoiding disposable barbecues and disposing of cigarettes safely.