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Drought Over in Cumbria: Heavy Rains Trigger Rescue Operations
19 Nov
Summary
- Cumbria's five-month drought concluded on October 29.
- Heavy rainfall has since caused flooding and rescues.
- North-west England's lower groundwater stores make it drought-prone.
The drought that had gripped Cumbria for more than five months has officially ended as of October 29, according to the Environment Agency. The region was initially declared in drought due to historically low rainfall between February and April.
Recent weather patterns have seen a dramatic shift, with Cumbria and northern Lancashire experiencing normal to exceptionally high rainfall over the past three and six months. Western parts of Cumbria have been particularly affected by this increased precipitation.
This recent heavy rainfall has resulted in localized flooding across the region, leading to several rescues. Emergency services assisted individuals from flooded homes and vehicles. Experts highlight that the north-west England region's lower number of groundwater aquifers makes it more vulnerable to rapid water level drops during dry spells.
