The United Kingdom officially declared a drought in parts of England on Friday. The statement comes as families face new restrictions on water use, in a prolonged period of hot, dry weather that has sparked wildfires and tested the country’s infrastructure.
The environment agency said the drought, the first in England since 2018, means water companies will step up efforts to manage the impact of dry weather on farmers and the environment, including controlling water supplies to protect supplies.
“All the water companies have assured us that essential supplies remain safe, and we have made it clear that they have a duty to maintain those supplies,” Water Minister Steve Doble said after a meeting of the National Drought Action Group.
“We are more prepared than ever for periods of dry weather, but we will continue to closely monitor the situation,” he said, stressing that they will take the necessary measures.
The drought comes on the heels of England’s driest July in nearly 90 years, the month when temperatures topped 40 degrees Celsius for the first time, sparking a renewed focus on the effects of climate change.
The Met Office said parts of England and Wales were in the midst of a four-day “extreme heat” warning, with many areas crossing the threshold to turn into a heat wave, while a separate “health” alert was issued due to the heat. Extended until Tuesday.
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