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England Dries Out: Drought Grips Nation
15 Aug
Summary
- England faces official drought conditions, impacting over half the country.
- July saw record-breaking dryness, with rainfall at 1% in some areas.
- Drought conditions may persist until October, officials warn.
England is officially in a drought, with over 71.3% of the country affected following the driest six months since 1976. July's rainfall was exceptionally low, ranging from 26% of the average in the North West to just 1% in the South East, with some areas experiencing 59 consecutive dry days.
While some rain is forecast, experts express uncertainty about its volume and its ability to alleviate the severe drought conditions. Officials warn that the dry spell could extend into October, impacting water resources and increasing fire risks.
The extreme weather has prompted a government alert urging caution against starting fires, and the Prince of Wales has expressed gratitude to emergency services tackling wildfires. The Prime Minister acknowledged the need to confront climate change, noting the potential for a shift to heavy rainfall and floods later in the year due to phenomena like El Nino.
