Drought is triggered after exceptionally dry weather

NATURAL Resources Wales (NRW) has confirmed that a drought has been triggered for people living in parts of Wales.

- CHIARA RINALDI Senior editor [e-mail]

The public body said trigger thresholds have been met to move southeast Wales into drought status.

The decision was made at a meeting of the Welsh Government's Drought Liaison Group yesterday afternoon, after consideration of the sustained pressures that high temperatures and a lack of rainfall have had on the area.

The rest of Wales remains in prolonged dry weather status.

The majority of river flows across Wales are low or exceptionally low, as are groundwater levels, said NRW.

Teams from NRW are continuing to monitor river flows, groundwater levels and impacts on the environment, land, agriculture and other sectors closely.

NRW said that while public drinking water supplies remain safe, people and businesses are advised to follow advice from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy.

They said people should use water wisely this summer to help ease pressures on the environment as well as water supplies.