Climate & Environment
England drought covers 71.3%, UK government says
England drought now covers 71.3 percent of the country, the UK government said Monday, after the nation experienced its driest July on record and with another heatwave and little rain forecast.
The environment department said almost three-quarters of England is now in drought after a dry start to August. It said parts of the central Midlands and northeast England were experiencing prolonged dry weather.
The department said all regions of the country are under pressure on water resources.
Farmers had already warned of lower yields and possible food shortages if the dry conditions continue. In Suffolk, farmer John Pawsey said yields for crops including oats, wheat and vetch were 25 to 30 percent lower, and that an entire quinoa crop failed because of a lack of rain.
National Farmers' Union president Tom Bradshaw told the BBC that shortages of some foods may result if drought conditions continue.
Update
The environment department said parts of the central Midlands and northeast England were experiencing prolonged dry weather.
The environment department said all regions are experiencing pressure on water resources.
Source note: AFP news report published on 10 August 2026 at 16:31:09 UTC.
Update
The UK government said 71.3 percent of England is in drought.
The environment department said parts of the central Midlands and northeast England had joined other drought-affected areas.
DEFRA said all regions are under pressure on water resources and nowhere in the UK has a normal status.
DEFRA said most of England is experiencing a flash drought.
Official figures said 45 million people are living in a drought area.
More than 27 million people are under water-use restrictions, with irrigation restrictions on farmers and hosepipe bans in some regions.
DEFRA warned of more dry weather and another heatwave, with temperatures tipped to reach the mid-30s in some places.
Source note: AFP news report published on 10 August 2026 at 16:33:24 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Food shortages are presented as a warning if drought conditions continue, not as a confirmed outcome.
Source
AFP news report published on .