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London Park Withers Under Record Drought
4 Aug
Summary
- Regent's Park shows dramatic change from green to brown in less than two months.
- A 'flash drought' was declared for all of London on July 29.
- Hosepipe bans are in effect for most of London due to low reservoirs.
Record-breaking dry conditions in 2026 have taken a visible toll on London's Regent's Park. Juxtaposed images reveal a stark transformation from vibrant greenery in early June to a parched, brown landscape by August 2nd. The severe lack of rain and high temperatures have caused trees and bushes to droop, and grass to wear away into dust.
The situation escalated with a 'flash drought' declaration for all of London on July 29th, impacting East Anglia, the Thames Valley, and other regions. This marks the third drought in five years for England, with previous declarations in 2022 and 2025.
Consequently, most of London is under a hosepipe ban. This measure aims to conserve water as reservoirs are at low levels and demand has increased due to the heatwave. The restrictions mean no watering of outdoor plants or grass, directly contributing to the visible degradation of public spaces like Regent's Park.
