Almost three-quarters of England now in drought ahead of summer’s fifth heatwave

Four more regions given drought status, with 45 million people now living with restrictions on water use Almost three-quarters of England is now in drought, as much of Europe braces for its fifth climate crisis-driven heatwave this summer. Four more regions of England have officially been declared in drought: the East

More than two thirds of England is now officially in drought after the Environment Agency declared another four English areas are in drought along with the whole of Wales.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said most of England is experiencing a "flash drought", which develops quickly and is the result of very low rainfall and high temperatures.

After the United Kingdom experienced its driest July on record, the government declared that some 71.3% of England was in a state of drought, and that 'nowhere' in the UK reports a normal water resource status.

After the United Kingdom experienced its driest July on record, the government declared that some 71.3% of England was in a state of drought, and that 'nowhere' in the UK reports a normal water resource status.

Britain has seen multiple temperature records being broken in 2026.

Some 71.3 per cent of England is in drought, the UK government said on Monday, after the nation experienced its driest July on record, with a fifth heatwave and scant rain forecast for the week ahead. Parks and fields that are usually green at this point in the year were parched and yellow, according to Agence France-P

The UK has already been hit by brutal dry spells, and for many across the country the warm weather and lack of rain is set to continue, bringing with it hosepipe bans

Britain was also facing its fifth heatwave of the 2026 summer that has seen multiple temperature records being broken.

Nearly three-quarters of England now in drought as 36C heatwave looms  lbc.co.uk

It follows the driest July in England and Wales since records began

More areas of England have been moved into drought status as the country faces another heatwave.

More areas of England have been moved into drought status as the country faces another heatwave.

Britain braces for FIFTH summer heatwave this week as firefighters battle 12 blazes a day  GB News

Weather forecasts show the UK is facing another week of severe heat as the mercury rises back towards 40C and more areas risk following parts of England and Wales into drought

While Monday won't be quite as hot as the weekend, temperatures will ramp up ahead of the fifth widespread heatwave of the year.

Yellow heat health alerts were issued at 9am on Saturday as the mercury rose throughout the day, baking the South and South East in 28C heat and while central England saw highs of 27C.

Temperatures to rise on Sunday as UK braces for fifth heatwave  ITVX

The North East is getting a healthy dose of sunshine as areas of the UK are expected to bake in record-breaking heat

It's going to be a hot and sticky week for many11:55, 08 Aug 2026Updated 11:55, 08 Aug 2026Having just come out of the driest July on record, the UK is bracing for its fifth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures forecast to climb to the mid-30s in places over the coming days.‌The Met Office has said temperatures wi

The health alerts run 9am Saturday to 9pm Tuesday and warn that the hot weather is likely to affect the wellbeing of the population.