The UK Environment Agency has warned that more than half of England is facing a severe drought. In an official statement, the agency declared that large swathes of the country are “now facing an emergency drought,” with the combined impact of “exceptionally low rainfall” and high temperatures causing drought conditions to spread rapidly across the nation.
The Environment Agency announced on Wednesday that over half of England is gripped by drought, with July 2026 set to become the driest July on record. Large areas across the central, eastern, and southern regions of the country are currently experiencing emergency drought conditions.
July rainfall levels were recorded at just 7% of the annual average across affected areas, dropping as low as 1% in parts of southern England. The impacted regions include East Anglia, Hertfordshire, Greater London, the Thames Valley, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Devon, Cornwall, and the West Midlands.
Furthermore, an additional third of the country is reportedly experiencing a prolonged dry spell.
“Water levels are plummeting, farmers are being forced to harvest crops earlier than planned, the risk of wild fires is escalating, and water restrictions are being imposed on millions of people,” the Environment Agency stated in its press release.
“We are currently consuming water faster than nature can replenish it. Facing our second consecutive summer drought—following the drought of 2025—has created an exceptionally severe situation with lasting consequences for our environment, wildlife, and economy,” warned Helen Wakeham, Director of Water at the Environment Agency and Chair of the National Drought Task Force, following a meeting late Tuesday (July 29).
Citing details from the press release, UK Water Minister Emma Hardy specially urged water supply companies to “swiftly repair leaks” in reservoir networks.
According to the Environment Agency, England has experienced three heatwaves since May 2026 and is currently undergoing a fourth. June 2026 was recorded as the hottest June since heatwave record-keeping began in 1884, forcing school closures and disrupting transport systems across the country.
The UK Met Office announced on Wednesday that a new temperature record was set in Lingwood, East England, on June 26, reaching 38°C (100°F).
