Severe Drought Persists Despite Stormy Skies

Storm Austen recently delivered significant rainfall and strong winds to Sussex, causing isolated damage including a section of Brighton's West Pier to collapse and a tree to fall at Angmering station. Despite these wet conditions, Sussex remains under a severe drought declaration. This status is primarily due to critically low reservoir levels, a consequence of the driest April to September period in over a century for the South East. Ardingly reservoir, which serves 280,000 customers, is currently only 17.1% full. Consequently, South East Water has reduced water release into the River Ouse to safeguard drinking water supplies. To address the long-term water deficit, England requires approximately 120% of its typical rainfall over the next seven months. The government has proposed building nine new reservoirs by 2050, with South East Water aiming for a new reservoir at Broad Oak to be operational by 2035.