England Faces Prolonged Drought Crisis Until 2026, Authorities Warn

As of October 30th, 2025, England is facing a dire water crisis that is expected to continue well into 2026. The national drought group, which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies, and other organizations, convened on Thursday to address the ongoing situation.

Despite the recent wet weather, the expert group warned that drought conditions are likely to persist unless there is significantly more rain in the coming months. The group praised the public for following hosepipe bans imposed in several parts of England, saying it has helped keep more water in local rivers and lakes. However, they cautioned that the position remains fragile, and further dry weather could push these areas back into drought.

To prepare for the prolonged drought, all sectors, including water companies, agriculture, navigation, and energy, have been told to take steps to increase their resilience. Farmers have been urged to check their water abstraction licenses, speak to the Environment Agency, and work with their neighbors to share resources. Water companies have also been instructed to promote efficient water use and continue their efforts to reduce leakage.

The Met Office has reported that 2025 was the hottest summer on record since 1884, while the spring was the driest in 132 years. As of October 28th, England had only received 61% of its expected annual rainfall, and just 41% of reservoirs remain under half full. Experts say the country needs at least 100% of the average rainfall to largely recover from the drought by the end of March 2026.

The national drought group has warned that as the impacts of global warming intensify, the country will have to prepare for more droughts in the coming years. They have emphasized that securing water resources must be a national priority, and have called on water companies to continue their water-saving messaging and efforts to reduce leakage.