Drought declared across half of England following record heat and low rainfall

The United Kingdom's Environment Agency declared an official drought across more than half of England on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The affected regions include London, East Anglia, the Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, and the West Midlands. This "flash drought" was triggered by extreme heat and minimal precipitation, with July recording only 7% of average rainfall nationally and as little as 1% in parts of southern England.

Water supplies have reached critical levels, with 78% of rivers flowing below normal capacity and national reservoir storage at 75.3%. Consequently, seven water companies have imposed hosepipe bans affecting approximately 23 million customers. Beyond water restrictions, the low moisture levels have necessitated early harvests and increased the risk of wildfires across the country. The Met Office also recently confirmed a record-breaking June temperature of 38 degrees Celsius, the highest ever recorded in the UK.

This declaration marks the third drought in England within the last five years, following similar events in 2022 and 2025. While the winter months provided some groundwater replenishment, the rapid onset of the summer heat has depleted these resources. Officials continue to monitor river and soil conditions as the public faces ongoing consumption limitations.