How severe is the drought in England and how many people are affected?

The British government said 71.3 percent of England is experiencing flash drought. It said 45 million people are in a drought area and 27 million are living under restrictions on water use.

Why is the British government saying drought conditions are getting worse in England?

Officials linked the worsening conditions to very low rainfall and higher temperatures during a prolonged dry spell. The government also said rivers, reservoirs and groundwater levels are declining and wildfire risk is increasing.

What impact is the drought having on farmers, water use and wildlife in England?

Water Minister Emma Hardy said the government is working to help farmers build more on-site irrigation reservoirs. The statement said the drought is hurting agriculture, public water supplies and wildlife, including breeding birds, amphibians and freshwater fish.

Almost three-quarters of England now in drought, UK government says

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Summary

Almost three-quarters of England is now in drought, the British government said in London on Monday. The government said 71.3 percent of the country is affected by flash drought, with 45 million people in drought areas and 27 million under water-use restrictions. It said prolonged hot, dry weather is hurting agriculture, public water supplies and wildlife, while raising wildfire risks.

Key Facts

Britain is in its fifth heatwave this year, and England and Wales have provisionally recorded their driest July in 190 years.
Southeast England received just 1 percent of its expected average rainfall.
Water Minister Emma Hardy said the government is stepping up support to make it easier for farmers to build more on-site irrigation reservoirs.
An estimated 2,877 people in Britain have died from heat-related causes this year, UK health authorities said last month.
The government said the heat is affecting breeding birds, amphibians and freshwater fish stocks.

By Reuters

Published Aug 11, 2026 1:49 am KST

Dried grass around a children's play area in a park, amid drought conditions in London, in London, Sunday. AP-Yonhap

LONDON — Almost three-quarters of England is now in drought, the British government said on Monday, highlighting the worsening impact of prolonged dry weather on agriculture, public water supplies and wildlife.

Most of the country, 71.3 percent, is now experiencing a flash drought caused by a combination of very low rainfall and higher temperatures. That has risen since late July, when almost half the country was declared to be in drought.

The latest update put 45 million people in a drought area and 27 million living under restrictions on water use.

Britain is in the grip of its fifth heatwave this year and England and Wales have provisionally recorded their driest July in 190 years. Southeast England received just 1 percent of its expected average rainfall.

"We know how challenging this summer has been ...

We are stepping up our support including working to make it easier for farmers to build more on-site irrigation reservoirs," Water Minister Emma Hardy said in the statement.

Rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater levels continue to decline while the continued hot and dry conditions are increasing the risk of wildfires, the government said.

An estimated 2,877 people in Britain have died from heat-related causes this year, UK health authorities said last month.

The heat is also impacting breeding birds, amphibians, and freshwater fish stocks, the government added.

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