Nearly Three-Quarters of England Declared in Drought Amid Prolonged Heat and Dry Weather

LONDON: Nearly three-quarters of England is now officially experiencing drought conditions, the British government said on Monday, as prolonged hot and dry weather continues to put pressure on agriculture, water supplies and wildlife.

According to the latest government assessment, 71.3% of England is experiencing a “flash drought”, driven by exceptionally low rainfall and elevated temperatures. The affected area has expanded significantly since late July, when roughly half of England was classified as being in drought.

The latest figures indicate that around 45 million people are living in areas affected by drought, while approximately 27 million people are subject to water-use restrictions.

The worsening conditions come as Britain faces its fifth heatwave of the year. England and Wales have provisionally recorded their driest July in 190 years, while southeast England received only about 1% of its expected average rainfall during the month.

The prolonged dry spell has also intensified concerns over the country’s agricultural sector. Water Minister Emma Hardy said the government was increasing support measures, including efforts to make it easier for farmers to construct on-site irrigation reservoirs.

Water resources are also coming under growing pressure, with rivers, reservoirs and groundwater levels continuing to decline. Authorities have warned that the combination of high temperatures and dry vegetation is increasing the risk of wildfires across the country.

The environmental consequences are becoming increasingly visible, with government officials reporting impacts on breeding birds, amphibians and freshwater fish stocks.

British health authorities have also estimated that 2,877 people have died from heat-related causes this year, underscoring the broader public-health consequences of increasingly persistent heat extremes.

The latest drought declaration highlights the growing challenges facing England as authorities seek to protect water supplies, support farmers and mitigate the environmental and health impacts of prolonged heat and exceptionally dry conditions.