Is UK facing drought for second summer in a row?
A hose ban is in place for millions of customers in England due to prolonged dry weather and increased water demand.
River flows in England have decreased in recent weeks, report says Environment Agency, external87% of catchments are currently at “below normal or exceptionally low levels.”
In Wales, where only 5% of July rainfall has fallen, Natural Resources Wales has moved the worst-hit areas in the north and south-east into a “prolonged dry weather” status as the first step in its drought plan.
Farmers and growers “work around the clock to harvest early crops, keep fruits and vegetables hydrated, and care for livestock,” according to Paul Tompkins, vice president of the National Farmers Union.
“Parts of the country, particularly the east and south, have seen exceptionally low rainfall this spring and summer.” He said this could mean “another difficult and expensive harvest following extreme weather in both 2024 and 2025”.
