Half of England has been declared in drought by the Environment Agency - seven areas of the countare ry now officially in drought after record low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures.

A large swathe of central, eastern, and southern England is now experiencing a flash drought - which develops very quickly brought about by a combination of very low rainfall and higher temperatures.

Rivers are running low, farmers are having to harvest crops early, wildfire risk is increasing, and millions of people are living under restrictions on water use.

The seven areas in drought are:

• East Anglia,
• Hertfordshire and the whole of London,
• Thames Valley,
• Hampshire & the Isle of Wight.
• Devon & Cornwall,
• The West Midlands
• Wessex (covering Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and south Gloucestershire)

The Environment Agency has again stepped up its operational response, including enhanced monitoring and controlling how much water can be taken from rivers and groundwaters.

Helen Wakeham, Director of Water at the Environment Agency and Chair of the National Drought Group, said:

“The hot and dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it.

“A second consecutive summer drought is an exceptionally serious situation and one that will have long-lasting impacts on our environment, wildlife, and the economy.”

Representatives from the National Drought Group - which includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, farmers, Canal & River Trust, anglers and conservation experts – held a dedicated drought briefing yesterday with Water Minister, Emma Hardy.

They reviewed impacts, preparedness, and drought response actions across England, with water companies being told to prioritise fixing leaks. There is also additional engagement with key groups, such as farmers and water companies, and cross-government work to secure supplies into the autumn.

Water Minister Emma Hardy said:

“Our climate is changing, droughts are becoming increasingly common, and we need to be prepared for this new normal.

“We’re delivering long-term change in the water industry and driving record investments in infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs.

“We expect water companies to follow their drought plans, to go further and faster to reduce leaks, and to ensure supplies are not disrupted even in the driest of weather.”

The current drought now means there have been three droughts in the past five years – 2022, 2025 and now 2026. There has been a dramatic shift in the weather this year – from a very wet winter to an exceptionally hot and dry summer.

The winter rainfall helped replenish reservoirs and groundwater, helping through a dry spring without any major impacts.

However, the summer has continued to be exceptionally hot and dry. July has seen just 7% of expected rainfall, falling to 1% across southern England - and there is no substantial rain on the way.

Combined with three heatwaves, including 12 consecutive days of temperatures above 30C, water storage has begun to deplete. The higher temperatures also mean water is evaporating from soils and vegetation, making wildfires more likely.

A fourth heatwave is under way, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber alerts for the East Midlands, East of England, London, and the South East.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Will Lang, commented:

“The warm and exceptionally dry conditions experienced across much of England over recent months are continuing to have a significant impact. Many areas have received very little or no rainfall throughout July, extending a period of below-average rainfall that has persisted across parts of the country since spring.

“While there are indications of occasional unsettled spells during the first part of August, bringing the chance of rain to some locations, there is currently little sign of the widespread, sustained rainfall that would be needed to make a significant difference to the areas most affected by the dry weather.

“The Met Office continues to work closely with the Environment Agency and partners across the water sector, providing expert meteorological information and forecasts to support drought monitoring, planning and response activities.”

Alongside the seven areas in drought, these areas are now in prolonged dry weather:

• Kent & East Sussex,
• Cumbria & Lancashire,
• Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Cheshire,
• East Midlands,
• Lincolnshire & Northamptonshire,
• The rest of Solent & the South Downs.

Just Yorkshire and the North East remain in normal status, with the situation under close review.

Seven water companies have introduced Temporary Use Bans (TUBs), for 23 million customers – around 40% of England’s population. They are: Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, Southern Water, South East Water, Thames Water and South West Water.