SEVEN ENGLISH REGIONS OFFICIALLY DECLARED IN DROUGHT

Seven areas of England have been officially declared to be in drought following a period of hot, dry weather, the Environment Agency has confirmed. July recorded rainfall at 7% of expected levels, with southern England receiving just 1% of its normal rainfall for that month. The affected regions are East Anglia; Hertfordshire and London; Thames Valley; Hampshire and the Isle of Wight; Devon and Cornwall; the West Midlands; and Wessex, which covers Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and south Gloucestershire.

Helen Wakeham, director of water at the Environment Agency and chair of the National Drought Group, stated that current water usage is outpacing the rate at which nature can replenish supplies. The drought declaration follows a sustained period of high temperatures combined with significantly below-average precipitation across large parts of the country. The Environment Agency's assessment reflects conditions across multiple water supply regions in southern and central England.

The official drought status carries implications for water management and potential restrictions on usage in the declared areas. The announcement represents a formal acknowledgement by the Environment Agency that water resources have fallen to levels requiring coordinated response. Further details on specific measures or restrictions linked to the drought declaration are expected to be released by the Environment Agency.