More than half of England officially in drought: U.K. government
On July 29, 2026, the U.K. government declared that over half of England (51.4%) is officially in drought, following record-low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures. The seven affected areas include London, East Anglia, southwest England, and the West Midlands. July 2026 is set to be the driest July on record, with only 7% of expected rainfall nationwide and as little as 1% in parts of southern England. The U.K. is experiencing its fourth widespread heatwave of 2026, described as a 'flash drought' caused by low rainfall and higher temperatures. This is the second consecutive summer of drought for parts of England. The Environment Agency warned of low river levels, early crop harvesting, increased wildfire risk, and water use restrictions. The National Drought Group met on July 28 to discuss impacts and response actions, including requiring water companies to fix leaks. Separately, the Met Office confirmed a new June daily temperature record of 38°C.
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