Coordinated drought response intensifies amid extreme weather

The National Drought Group has moved to weekly meetings as drought conditions continue to intensify, despite the recent rainfall.  

The move marks a further step change in the government's response to the continued threat posed by wildfires and drought and follows the COBR meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.  

The expert group - which includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, farmers, Canal & River Trust, anglers, and conservation experts met this afternoon as part of the heightened response to help safeguard people, livelihoods, and our environment.  

They focused on the current drought and weather situation, actions each sector is taking and will continue to take over the coming months.  

Last week, a £65million package was announced to help farmers while significant work also continues on climate adaptation, including increased flood funding and nine new reservoirs.   

Rural Communities Minister, Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, said:

These have been some of the driest conditions in decades, and l have seen the impact it is having on communities, and I know the real pressure on farmers and the environment.

We have acted in lock-step with fire services, local authorities and across government to provide support and protect people and nature.

Drought conditions are worsening and yet we now face the risk of flash flooding. As extreme weather becomes more frequent, this government is working to adapt to our changing climate - including through our work with the National Drought Group and building nine new reservoirs to secure future supplies.

This week has seen rainfall and cooler temperatures which, while welcome, will not make any significant impact on our water resources.   

Almost three-quarters (71.3%) of England is in drought, and it will be later this year before we see meaningful signs of recovery.   

Drought is only over once rivers, reservoirs and groundwaters are completely replenished. This can take months of significant and sustained rainfall, while the impacts on our wildlife can last for years.   

There is also currently a risk of surface water flooding, which can arise from heavy rain running off the hard ground rather than being absorbed by the soil.   

The government is investing at least £10.5 billion by March 2036 to construct new flood and coastal erosion schemes and repair existing defences.  

Meanwhile, the EA has completed 250 projects in the last two years, meaning almost 62,000 properties are better protected from flooding.  

Environment Agency Chief Executive, Philip Duffy, chaired the National Drought Group and said:

This summer has been extremely challenging for farmers and for wildlife, and the rain we have seen this week is desperately needed.

This current rainfall isn't enough to change the overall drought picture, and it is possible to have simultaneous drought and flood as heavy rain falls on compacted soils.   

We are monitoring the flood risks, while also working with industry, agriculture, and the government on the ongoing drought response.    

In the meantime, we really do need everyone's help make our current water reserves last. Every drop saved is an extra drop for your local river, lake, or farmer.

No new areas have moved into drought status today - with the south and midlands in drought and the north remaining in prolonged dry weather.   

The driest July in 190 years, a dry start to August, and five widespread heatwaves have resulted in rapidly diminishing river and reservoir levels over the summer.   

The weather has also had a marked impact on soil moisture, which is essential for the recharging of groundwaters and vital for agriculture. There is always a delay of a couple of months for soils to respond to any rainfall.   

Dr Katie Facer-Childs, senior hydrologist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), said:

After this exceptionally hot and dry summer, it will take several months for river flows and reservoirs to get back to normal. A little rain will not end the drought.    

Autumn and winter is a crucial period for replenishing our water resources. If this autumn is wetter than normal, river flows may recover by December, but current forecasts suggest this is unlikely and river flows will therefore generally remain low into the new year, especially in the south east.   

A dry winter could leave parts of the UK vulnerable to drought again next year.

The current water situation is:   

• August has currently seen 17% of the average rainfall this month up to 18th August.   
• River flows are lower than they were in 2022 the last time England experienced a flash drought.   
• There were some rises in river flows, predominately across northern England, but declines elsewhere with 50% classed as notably or exceptionally low for the time of year.   
• The Environment Agency is particularly concerned at the impact the drought is having on the River Severn. It has applied for a Drought Order to Defra to reduce the amount of water companies can abstract from the river.   
• Reservoir levels have fallen to 62.6% - 16.3% lower than to be expected for this time of year.   
• Groundwater has continued its seasonal decline with levels in the Cotswold limestone aquifer now exceptionally low for the time of year. 
• The Environment Agency has recorded 226 incidents linked to drought, including algal blooms, low flows, and fish deaths.   
• In response, the EA has conducted dozens of fish rescues saving tens of thousands of fish and protecting current and future populations.  
• Farmers have reported their earliest harvest in 20 years, with yields impacted by heat stress and dry conditions.   
• Livestock are also suffering heat stress and there is reduced forage due to poor grass growth.  
• This lack of water in rivers has led to 288 irrigation restrictions in place in East Anglia.  In response, the government has announced a £65million boost for farmers, including £15 million to support around 100 new reservoirs. The Environment Agency is also working closely with the National Farmers Union, particularly in East Anglia the country's breadbasket - making sure all abstractors understand the latest water resources position.       
• Nine water companies in England have imposed restrictions, impacting 29 million customers. They are: Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, Essex & Suffolk Water, Southern Water, South East Water, Thames Water, South West Water and Wessex Water.    
• Southern Water has applied for two Drought Orders.  The first is to maintain normal abstraction rates from the River Test even during low flows and the second is for a non-essential use ban. These are both under consideration by Defra.   
• National Drought Group members are proud supporters of the Let's Save Water campaign.    

Rainfall this week has varied across the country, with most of it falling in the north an area in prolonged dry weather, not full drought. Thunderstorm warnings are in place in some areas today. 

Head of Environment and Energy at the Met Office, Sarah Davies, said:

Many areas are expected to see further rainfall over the coming days, with a more unsettled pattern likely to continue into early Septeber.   

Although the outlook points to more changeable and, at times, wetter conditions than we have seen recently, it remains too early to assess what impact this may have on longer-term drought conditions.  

Looking further ahead, temperatures are expected to be around average for the start of autumn although some warm or hot spells are still possible. 

NOTE TO EDITORS:    

Work by National Drought Group members includes:  

• Defra is progressing work on mandatory water efficiency labelling and will respond soon to a consultation on improving water efficiency in new homes.     
• Defra and the Environment Agency continue to work with water companies on their Water Resource Management Plans, including new reservoirs, desalination plants, and multiple water transfers to help secure future supplies.    
• Changes in the Planning and Infrastructure Act enable non-water sector companies to build reservoirs that are automatically considered as nationally significant infrastructure projects, which will speed up the approvals for large reservoirs.   
• The Environment Agency's Trent Witham Ancholme River Transfer Scheme is operational in Lincolnshire. This can pump 60 Olympic sized pools of water daily if required.   
• The Environment Agency is working with local fisheries, councils and the Canal & River Trust, including advice on reducing the impact of low oxygen levels in water and controlling algae.    
• The Environment Agency is carrying out more compliance checks on businesses to ensure everyone is using water fairly.    
• The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) has conducted research about increased water use during heatwaves and the potential for smarter future use.    
• The UKCEH has published its [Hydrological Outlook] (https://hydoutuk.net/) providing a three-month forecast.  

AREAS IN DROUGHT ARE:   

• East Anglia,      
• Hertfordshire and the whole of London,      
• Thames Valley,      
• Devon & Cornwall,      
• Wessex (covering Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and south Gloucestershire)   
• The West Midlands      
• East Midlands   
• Lincolnshire & Northamptonshire    
• Kent & East Sussex    
• Solent & the South Downs   

AREAS IN PROLONGED DRY WEATHER ARE:    

• Cumbria & Lancashire,       
• Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Cheshire,      
• North East   
• Yorkshire   

WATER SAVING TIPS:   

• Whatever the weather, we always need to use water wisely to protect current and future supplies. We can:     
• Opt for a low-flow shower head: These use around 6 litres per minute, compared to a standard shower head, which uses 10-15 litres per minute. Over a 10-minute shower, that's a saving of up to 90 litres of water.          
• If you don't have a dual flush, get a Cistern Displacement Device (CDD) from your water company: This simple tool can reduce each toilet flush by at least 1 litre and is often available for free from water companies. Find out more on your water company's website                
• In the kitchen avoid pre-rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher scrape them instead, as modern detergents are designed to work effectively without extra rinsing and use a washing-up bowl to catch excess water - this can reduce wastage by up to 50%.                
• If living in an area with a Temporary Use Ban (TUB), you can still use a watering can or bucket for the garden.     
• Fill your washing machine to its recommended load size for the most efficient use of water.                
• Install a rain butt to collect rainwater to use in the garden.     
• Turn off the taps when brushing teeth or shaving.                 
• Take shorter showers.                   
• Fix a leaking toilet leaky loos can waste 200-400 litres a day.            

2026 ENGLAND RAINFALL AS PERCENTAGE OF LONG-TERM (1991 2020) AVERAGE:     

Jan:  150%     

Feb:  170%     

Mar:  83%     

Apr:   38%     

May:  74%     

Jun:  104%     

Jul:   10%   

Aug: 17% (so far)