'Severe drought' declared in parts of UK

'Severe drought' declared in parts of UK

London (AFP) – A "severe drought" was declared in parts of southern England on Thursday by the UK government, which said it took the decision following an "unprecedented period of extreme weather".

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The United Kingdom experienced its hottest summer on record in 2026, featuring several heatwaves and an exceptional drought that resulted from a lack of rainfall not seen since records began in 1836.

More than 80 percent of England is currently in a state of drought as it continues to experience below average levels of rainfall into the autumn months.

"Record-breaking summer heat and severe drought have put our water resources under immense pressure," said Environment Agency head Philip Duffy.

The "severe drought" status was declared in the English counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex. It is the worst stage triggered by "exceptionally low indicators over a long period of time".

The declaration came as two major reservoirs in southwest England serving nearly 400,000 properties were below 20 percent of their storage capacity.

The Environment Agency said it "would expect reservoir storage to be around 75 percent for this time of year".

Southeast and southwest England have experienced their driest April to September period in more than a century, according to the government.

Scientists say climate change is intensifying weather events such as drought and heatwaves, resulting in records being broken more frequently.

As of last week, average reservoir levels across England stood at 54 percent, with the nation receiving just 10 percent of average October rainfall.

The government has urged water companies to monitor their water intake from natural resources and encouraged customers to cut their consumption, with usage restrictions already imposed in several regions.

"This level of drought is something we have not experienced for decades," environment minister Angela Eagle said.

Months of drought have piled pressure on everyone from farmers and anglers to firefighters who say tinder-dry conditions resulted in challenging wildfires this summer.

Since August the government has convened a weekly National Drought Group, involving the weather agency, water companies, experts and farmers' representatives.

© 2026 AFP