**Half of England Declared in Drought Amid Extreme Weather Conditions**
*July 29, 2026*
The Environment Agency of England has officially declared that half of the country is experiencing drought conditions, following a significant lack of rainfall and prolonged periods of high temperatures. This declaration, made on Wednesday, highlights the severity of the situation as July has recorded only 7% of its average rainfall, with some areas in southern England seeing a drastic drop to just 1%.
The regions affected by the drought include London, East Anglia, the Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, the West Midlands, and Wessex. This situation has led to the development of what is being termed a "flash drought," particularly impacting large areas of central, eastern, and southern England. Currently, approximately 78% of England's rivers are reported to be below normal levels, and reservoir storage has decreased to 75.3% of capacity.
In response to the escalating drought conditions, seven water companies across the affected regions have implemented water-use restrictions that impact around 23 million customers. These measures are aimed at conserving water resources as the country grapples with the implications of this environmental crisis.
This declaration marks the third drought in England within a span of five years, following similar situations in 2022 and 2025. The frequency and intensity of these droughts have raised concerns regarding the long-term impacts of climate change on the region's water supply and overall environmental health.
In a related development, the UK Met Office has confirmed a new record for June temperatures, reporting a high of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit). This figure surpasses the previously noted provisional record of 37.7 degrees Celsius, establishing it as the highest June temperature ever recorded in the UK. The Met Office has also confirmed new temperature records for Wales and Northern Ireland, while some provisional records from certain stations were rejected due to not meeting required standards.
As England faces these challenging weather conditions, the implications for agriculture, water supply, and public health are becoming increasingly apparent. The government and environmental agencies are expected to monitor the situation closely and may introduce additional measures to mitigate the impact of the drought as it evolves.
The drought situation in England coincides with rising temperatures in other regions, including Cyprus, where a yellow heat warning has been issued as temperatures are expected to reach highs of 40 degrees Celsius. This broader trend of extreme weather patterns is indicative of the ongoing climate crisis affecting various parts of the world.
As the situation develops, both the public and authorities are urged to remain vigilant and proactive in conserving water and preparing for potential further restrictions in the face of ongoing drought conditions.