Water shortfall is now 'nationally significant', drought officials warn

DERWENT VALLEY GROUP OF RESERVOIRS AMONG LOWEST LEVELS IN ENGLAND

- By EMILY BEAMENT

ENGLAND is now suffering from “nationally significant” water shortfalls despite rain in July, officials have warned as the country faces more hot, dry conditions.

The national drought group, which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies and other organisations, has met as five areas of the country, including the East Midlands, remain in drought, with six more in prolonged dry weather status.

The East Midlands region officially entered drought last month after the driest start to the year since 1976.

England is seeing widespread environmental and agricultural impacts from the lack of water, which is hitting crop yields, reducing feed for livestock, damaging wetlands and river wildlife, and increasing wildfires, the group said.

Experts warn climate change is driving more extreme weather conditions in the UK, worsening drought and dry spells, and making heatwaves more frequent and severe.

Despite unsettled weather in July with many places seeing heavy rain or showers, it was still the fifth warmest on record.

Many river flows and reservoir levels continued to recede compared to June - and are now well below where they should be for the time of year.

Dry weather has returned in August, with the fourth heatwave of the summer set to see temperatures climb into the 30s once more - putting extra pressure on overstretched water supplies.