Severe Drought and Extreme Heat Affect Millions Across England

Nearly three quarters of England is officially in drought, affecting approximately 45 million people as the country faces its fifth heatwave of the year. The National Drought Group reports that 71.3 percent of England is in drought, with the North East and Yorkshire categorized as experiencing prolonged dry weather. Temperatures are forecast to reach 38C this week, leading the Met Office to consider or issue rare extreme heat warnings for several regions including London, the Midlands, and the South East. Water use restrictions are currently in place for 27 million people, including all customers of Thames Water and South East Water.

The environmental and economic impact is significant. Reports indicate that river and reservoir levels have depleted, agricultural land has turned brown, and livestock farmers are utilizing winter feed due to low grass growth. In July, 19 counties recorded 1mm or less of rainfall, contributing to the driest July in 190 years. Emergency services have also responded to wildfires, including a major grass fire at Mincinglake Valley Park in Exeter.

Center left sources frame the crisis through different lenses. Some emphasize the immediate humanitarian and environmental emergency, highlighting the failure of government leadership to convene crisis committees. Others frame the drought as a systemic failure of the private sector, arguing that water companies ignored decades of climate science and prioritized shareholder profits over the construction of necessary reservoirs.