England Drought Expands to 71% as Heatwave Deepens Water Crisis

Nearly three-quarters of England is now experiencing drought conditions as prolonged heat and exceptionally low rainfall put increasing pressure on water supplies, agriculture and wildlife, the British government said Monday.

According to the latest government figures, a rapidly developing “flash drought” now covers 71.3% of England. The drought has been driven by a combination of unusually low rainfall and higher temperatures, significantly expanding from late July, when almost half of the country was classified as being in drought.

Around 45 million people currently live within drought-affected areas, while approximately 27 million are subject to water use restrictions. Authorities are increasingly concerned about declining river flows, reservoir storage and groundwater levels as the dry spell continues.

The worsening England drought comes as Britain experiences its fifth heatwave of the year. England and Wales have provisionally recorded their driest July in 190 years, highlighting the severity of the ongoing UK dry weather. Southeast England was particularly affected, receiving only about 1% of its expected average rainfall during the month.

Water Minister Emma Hardy acknowledged the difficulties caused by the extreme summer conditions and said the government was increasing support for affected communities and industries. Measures include efforts to make it easier for farmers to construct on-site irrigation reservoirs, which could provide additional water during extended periods of dry weather.

Agriculture remains especially vulnerable as farmers contend with limited rainfall and reduced access to water for crops and livestock. Natural habitats are also under growing pressure as rivers, reservoirs and groundwater supplies continue to fall.

Persistent heat and dry vegetation have additionally raised the risk of wildfires across affected regions, according to the government.

The drought is unfolding alongside mounting concerns about the health effects of extreme temperatures. UK health authorities said last month that an estimated 2,877 people in Britain had died from heat-related causes this year.

With little relief from the prolonged hot and dry conditions, pressure on England’s water resources could intensify further, keeping drought management, water restrictions and wildfire prevention high on the government’s agenda.