An exceptionally dry summer prompts urgent measures to manage dwindling water resources
Category: Climate & Environment
In a stark reminder of climate change's impact, more than half of England has officially been declared in drought as of July 29, 2026. The announcement comes after the country has faced an extended period of exceptionally low rainfall, with July recording only 7% of its long-term average rainfall across England, plummeting to a mere 1% in parts of southern England. This severe weather pattern has raised alarms about the state of water supplies, agriculture, and wildlife across the nation.
With the Environment Agency warning that the effects are being felt across various sectors, the drought has been characterized as a "flash drought" due to the rapid onset of dry conditions combined with sustained high temperatures. This situation marks the third drought in five years, following those in 2022 and 2025, indicating a troubling trend in England’s climate patterns.
Seven regions have been officially designated as being in drought status: East Anglia; Hertfordshire and London; the Thames Valley; Hampshire and the Isle of Wight; Devon and Cornwall; the West Midlands; and Wessex, which encompasses Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and south Gloucestershire. This widespread drought has led to visible consequences across the country, with photos capturing receding rivers, parched parks, and sportspeople attempting to play on dry grounds.
Notably, the River Thames at Reading and the River Cam at Dernford in Cambridgeshire are experiencing their lowest recorded flows for late July. Meanwhile, around 78% of England’s rivers are now classified as below normal or lower for this time of year, with one in six reaching exceptionally low levels. This alarming statistic highlights the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action.
Reservoir storage across England has also declined significantly, currently sitting at 75.3%, which is about 7.4% below the long-term average. Nearly half of the reservoirs are reported to be below normal levels, with Wimbleball Reservoir in the South West and Blagdon Reservoir in the Bristol Water area noted as exceptionally low. The Environment Agency has responded to these challenges by increasing monitoring and enforcement activities, including tighter controls on water abstraction from rivers and groundwater.
In response to the dire conditions, seven water companies have introduced Temporary Use Bans affecting approximately 23 million customers—about 40% of England's population. These restrictions, which include limitations on water use for activities such as watering gardens and washing cars, are aimed at conserving the dwindling water resources. Helen Wakeham, Director of Water at the Environment Agency, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "The hot and dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it. A second consecutive summer drought is an exceptionally serious situation and one that will have long-lasting impacts on our environment, wildlife, and the economy."
The drought's effects extend beyond human consumption, placing immense pressure on agriculture and wildlife. Farmers are facing challenges such as early cereal harvesting and reduced crop yields, leading to heightened risks of field fires. The Environment Agency has reported over 1,500 abstraction license restrictions due to low river flows, and the demand for irrigation remains high as farm storage reservoirs decline rapidly.
Wildlife is also suffering due to deteriorating freshwater conditions. Lower river levels hinder the upstream migration of Atlantic salmon, and reduced rainfall limits spawning pools for species like natterjack toads. The agency has undertaken 38 fish rescue operations this year, relocating hundreds of fish species from watercourses where oxygen levels and flows have dropped to critically low levels. The impact of the drought is evident, with 110 wildfires reported on Sites of Special Scientific Interest during 2026, including incidents in the Peak District.
In light of the worsening drought conditions, representatives from the National Drought Group convened with Water Minister Emma Hardy on July 28 to discuss the impacts and preparedness across England. Hardy acknowledged the changing climate, stating, "Our climate is changing, droughts are becoming increasingly common, and we need to be prepared for this new normal." The government is pushing for long-term changes in the water industry, including record investments in infrastructure, such as nine new reservoirs, to bolster resilience against future droughts.
Looking ahead, forecasts indicate that there may be occasional unsettled weather during early August, but the Met Office has warned that there is currently little indication of the sustained and widespread rainfall necessary to significantly improve conditions in the most affected areas. Chief Meteorologist Will Lang remarked, "The warm and exceptionally dry conditions experienced across much of England over recent months are continuing to have a substantial impact. Many areas have received very little or no rainfall throughout July, extending a period of below-average rainfall that has persisted across parts of the country since spring."
As the drought continues to grip England, conservation organizations are calling for nature-based adaptations to climate change. Zoe Quiroz Cullen, head of climate & international policy at The Wildlife Trusts, stated, "With more than half of England now officially in drought, we are seeing the damaging consequences of our hotter, drier summers on both people and wildlife. This should be an urgent wake-up call. We need to act faster to prepare for a warmer, more unpredictable climate."
The current drought serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for effective climate adaptation strategies that prioritize the restoration and protection of natural ecosystems, ensuring that both people and wildlife can thrive in an increasingly challenging environment.