LONDON: England is facing its driest first half of the year since 1976, with the Environment Agency (EA) warning of a “nationally significant” water shortfall.
Five of the EA’s 14 regions are in drought, and six more face prolonged dry conditions, depleting water supplies and damaging crops. Reservoirs are at 67.7 per cent capacity, well below the August average of 80.5 per cent, while nearly half of river flows are below normal.
The National Drought Group, comprising government, farmers and water companies, met as the country braces for its fourth heatwave this summer.
Yorkshire has already imposed a hosepipe ban.
Farmers warn of “financially devastating” yield losses that could affect the UK harvest. Water Minister Emma Hardy said new reservoirs are planned to protect supplies amid projections of worsening shortages over the next decade.
Scientists say climate change is intensifying droughts, floods and heatwaves.
England also recorded its driest spring in more than a century this year. – AFP
