Half of England in drought emergency as July breaks historic dryness records

A significant part of England has officially been placed under drought conditions as the country endures one of the driest periods ever recorded. According to the National Environment Agency, data confirms that July this year recorded the lowest rainfall levels in history.

Authorities report that a broad region stretching across central, eastern and southern England is being hit by a “rapid-onset drought,” accelerated by extreme temperatures and a total lack of rain.

The statistics are clear: rainfall reached just 7% of normal levels for this season, while in the south of the country the figure fell to an alarming 1% of the seasonal average.

The areas officially declared to be in drought include East Anglia, Hertfordshire, Greater London, the Thames Valley, Hampshire, Wye, Devon, Cornwall and the West Midlands. The remaining regions of the country are also suffering from prolonged arid conditions.

The National Environment Agency is warning of a series of troubling consequences: water flows are shrinking rapidly, farmers are rushing to harvest crops early, the threat of wildfires has increased significantly, and millions of citizens are facing restrictions on water use.

Helen Wham, director of water resources and chair of the National Drought Committee, issued a firm statement: “We are consuming water at rates that exceed the natural capacity for replenishment. This is the second consecutive wave of drought, following that of 2025, and it is creating an extremely serious crisis with profound and prolonged implications for the ecosystem, wildlife and the economy.”

Following the committee meeting, governing bodies called on water companies to step up efforts to repair leaks in the infrastructure, with the aim of reducing water losses.

The country has experienced three consecutive heatwaves since May, and a fourth is currently underway.

June this year was recorded as the hottest month in England since measurements began in 1884. Extreme temperatures led to the closure of several educational institutions and caused chaos across the transport system. The thermal peak was recorded on June 26 in the village of Lingwood, in eastern England, where the mercury reached 38 degrees Celsius.