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UK drought latest: 45 million people now in drought areas after heatwaves and record dry weather
It follows the driest July in England and Wales since records began
Dan Haygarth
Monday 10 August 2026 19:54 BST
Related video: England and Wales suffer driest July on record in summer of extreme weather
Some 45 million people are in drought-stricken areas in England as historically dry and hot weather persists across the country.
Officials at the National Drought Group met on Monday and determined that 71.3 per cent of England is now experiencing a flash drought, after half of England and all of Wales reached the criteria in July.
The East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs today became the latest to move into drought status.
This means that 45m people in England are in a drought area. Over 27m people are now living under restrictions on water use.
England and Wales recorded their driest July in records dating back to 1836, with 19 counties of England seeing no rain for the entire month, provisional statistics have shown.
The latest drought warnings came as parts of the UK braced for the fifth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures expected to climb into the mid 30Cs later in the week.
Key Points
Almost three-quarters of England is now in drought
‘Drought conditions are worsening and will continue to do so’
Situation facing farmers and growers 'increasingly concerning’
Mapped: Where is in drought?
25 minutes ago
45m people in England living in drought-stricken areas
The East Midlands, Lincolnshire & Northamptonshire, Kent & East Sussex, and Solent & the South Downs became the latest to move into drought status today.
Along with the areas announced last week, most of the country (71.3 per cent) is now experiencing a flash drought – which develops very quickly brought about by a combination of very low rainfall and higher temperatures.
This takes the total to 45 million people in a drought area. Over 27 million people are now living under restrictions on water use.
Dan Haygarth10 August 2026 19:39
34 minutes ago
Swimming pools and car washes are among the UK businesses that could be hit by a water ban as providers look to conserve resources amid drought conditions and an upcoming fifth heatwave.
Southern Water has applied to the government for permission to issue a “non-essential use ban” in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. If granted and put into action, the policy would prevent businesses from activities like washing cars with hosepipes, and filling private swimming pools.
It comes as almost three quarters of England and all of Wales have been plunged into drought.
Read more:
Swimming pools and car washes could be put under water ban
More than two-thirds of England and all of Wales plunged into drought as UK on the verge of fifth heatwave
Dan Haygarth10 August 2026 19:30
49 minutes ago
Heatwave to subside at the weekend
The latest heatwave, which is expected to be widespread throughout England and Wales, is set to subside over the weekend and bring fresher air and rain, but this is not expected to make up for the shortfall in recent months, forecasters warn.
Sarah Davies, head of environment and energy at the Met Office, said: “Forecasts for the remainder of August and into September suggest a good deal of dry weather is expected, mixed with some unsettled spells.
“While some areas may see useful rainfall at times, there is currently no strong signal for a sustained period of widespread rainfall, with below-average rainfall more likely than above-average for the period as a whole.”
Dan Haygarth10 August 2026 19:15
1 hour ago
Amber heat health alerts have been issued for most of England
The latest drought warnings came as parts of the UK braced for the fifth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures expected to climb into the mid 30Cs later in the week, peaking at 36C on Thursday.
This summer has been one of extreme heat and dry conditions, with two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June that led to the deaths of more than 2,800 people, followed by further heatwaves in July.
In the latest heat spike, amber heat health alerts have been issued for most of England, with officials urging people to take simple steps to stay safe, such as drinking plenty of water, checking on vulnerable friends and family, and avoiding the sun at the hottest part of the day.
The UK is increasingly struggling with the impact of more extreme weather such as drought, heatwaves and wildfires fuelled by climate change, which is mostly caused by burning fossil fuels in power plants, in vehicles, to heat homes and for industry.
Dan Haygarth10 August 2026 19:00
1 hour ago
Watch: Drone footage shows devastating aftermath of New Forest fire
Major wildfires have hit areas such as the Pennines, the Cairngorms in Scotland, Llanwonno in the Rhondda Valleys, South Wales, and Dunwich Heath in Suffolk.
More than 120 firefighters were working on Monday to contain the latest blaze which is affecting a square kilometre of heathland in the New Forest, Hampshire, and has closed the A31 after a vehicle fire.
Drone footage shows devastating aftermath of New Forest fire
Dan Haygarth10 August 2026 18:45
1 hour ago
Shoppers warned of supermarket price rises ‘within months’ due to extreme heat
Shoppers have been warned they can expect to pay more for their food shop “come the later part of this year”, as extreme heat and drought brings farming to the brink.
The chairman of the House of Commons’ Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has said consumers can expect to see the impact of this summer’s record-breaking weather in six to 12 months time as growers have warned that this year’s barley and wheat yield is expected to be lower than previous years.
“The problems for farmers today will be the problems for consumers in six or 12 months’ time because you see massively decreased yield for wheat and for barley,” said Alistair Carmichael, the Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland on BBC Radio 4’s The World At One.
Read more:
Shoppers warned of supermarket price rises ‘within months’ due to extreme heat
Senior MP says consumers could feel impact of shortages on their food shop within the next six months
Dan Haygarth10 August 2026 18:30
1 hour ago
Warmer water 'putting fish under severe stress'
Rivers, reservoirs, and groundwaters continue to decline and water temperatures are also rising, leading to more fish rescues, while the continued hot and dry conditions are increasing the risk of wildfires.
Mark Owen, head of fisheries at the Angling Trust, said: “Warmer water holds less dissolved oxygen, putting fish under severe stress that can quickly become life-threatening.
A 'No Fishing' sign is pictured in the dried up Falmer Pond in Falmer, East Sussex (AFP/Getty)
“Anglers often spot problems first and play an important role raising the alarm when fish are in distress. This summer, we have seen an increasing number of incidents linked to prolonged hot, dry weather and exceptionally low river flows.
“More frequent droughts and rising water temperatures are placing even greater pressure on rivers, making it increasingly difficult for fish and other wildlife to survive unless we build greater resilience into our freshwater environment.”
Dan Haygarth10 August 2026 18:15
2 hours ago
What is a flash drought?
Most of the country (71.3 per cent) is now experiencing a flash drought – which develops very quickly brought about by a combination of very low rainfall and higher temperatures.
Flash drought is a drought that has a rapid onset or is brought about very quickly.
It is brought about by low levels of rain and abnormally high temperatures.
Dan Haygarth10 August 2026 18:01
2 hours ago
Painkillers could increase chance of getting sunburn, watchdog says
Common painkillers including ibuprofen could increase the chance of getting sunburn, Britain’s health watchdog has warned as the country braces for its fifth blistering heatwave of the summer.
The public is urged to take extra precautions if taking the medicine in warmer weather, with temperatures set to soar to 36C next week.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said on Friday that drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen could increase sensitivity to the sun, making burns more likely.
Read the full story:
The common painkiller that can increase your risk of sunburn
Doctors advise not stopping prescribed medication in the hot weather without professional advice
Dan Haygarth10 August 2026 18:00
2 hours ago
Rivers, reservoirs and groundwater continue to decline
The Environment Agency (EA) said rivers, reservoirs and groundwater continue to decline, water temperatures are rising, leading to more fish rescues, 245 wildfires have been reported on protected sites this year, and important wetland and peatland habitats are drying out.
Only 14 per cent of rivers are at normal levels and more than a fifth (22 per cent) are exceptionally low, including the Avon, Wye, Ely, Ouse and Exe, while reservoir levels have fallen to 69 per cent – well below normal for the time of year.
The agency said the latest drought is the third in the past five years, after 2022 and 2025, and mainland Europe is also struggling with heatwaves, dry weather and low river flows.
The latest heatwave, which is expected to be widespread throughout England and Wales, is set to subside over the weekend and bring fresher air and rain, but this is not expected to make up for the shortfall in recent months, forecasters warn.
Sarah Davies, head of environment and energy at the Met Office, said: “Forecasts for the remainder of August and into September suggest a good deal of dry weather is expected, mixed with some unsettled spells.
“While some areas may see useful rainfall at times, there is currently no strong signal for a sustained period of widespread rainfall, with below-average rainfall more likely than above-average for the period as a whole.”
Dan Haygarth10 August 2026 17:51
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