England drought covers 51.4% of the country

More than half of England has been declared in drought after record-low rain and exceptionally high temperatures, the UK government said Wednesday.

The Environment Agency said the seven drought areas include London, East Anglia, all of southwest England and the West Midlands, covering 51.4% of England.

The agency said July is set to be the driest on record, with just 7% of expected rainfall nationwide and some parts of southern England seeing 1%. The UK is also experiencing its fourth widespread heatwave of 2026.

The Environment Agency described the situation as a flash drought, which develops quickly because of very low rainfall and higher temperatures. It said rivers are low, farmers are harvesting crops early, wildfire risk is increasing and millions of people are living under water-use restrictions.

Representatives of the National Drought Group met Tuesday to discuss impacts, preparedness and drought response actions across England. The agency said private water companies were told to prioritise fixing leaks.

Helen Wakeham, the Environment Agency's director of water and chair of the group, said water was being used faster than nature could replenish it. She called a second consecutive summer drought an exceptionally serious situation with long-lasting impacts on the environment, wildlife and the economy.

Separately, the Met Office said final June readings showed both England and the UK recorded a daily temperature record for the month of 38C, higher than the previously reported 37.7C.