England drought covers more than half the country
More than half of England has been officially declared in drought after record-low rain and exceptionally high temperatures, the UK government said Wednesday.
The drought declaration covers swathes of central, eastern and southern England.
Helen Wakeham, the Environment Agency's director of water, said a second consecutive summer drought was "an exceptionally serious situation" that would have long-lasting impacts on the environment, wildlife and the economy.
Update
Just over half of England has been declared in drought.
The affected areas include parts of central, eastern and southern England.
The UK government attributed the drought declaration to record-low rain and exceptionally high temperatures.
Environment Agency director Helen Wakeham called a second consecutive summer drought exceptionally serious.
Source note: AFP news report published on 29 July 2026 at 11:29:12 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The supplied information does not list all affected areas or any specific restrictions.
Source
AFP news report published on .