More parts of England are expected to be officially declared in drought as the UK heads into a potential fifth heatwave of the year this week. The National Drought Group (NDG) is expected to meet this afternoon to make the decision, according to infohub.kz.
All of Wales and more than half of England are already in drought after an unprecedented period of dry, hot weather over the summer. The NDG includes the Met Office, the government, regulators, water companies, the National Farmers’ Union, the Canal & River Trust, anglers and conservation experts.
The group reviews the impacts of droughts and helps draw up mitigation plans to respond to them as wildfire risks increase, rivers run dangerously low and food production and security are affected by long periods of little or no rainfall.
The lack of rainfall has seen millions of people be put under temporary hosepipe bans, with water supplies having been severely depleted, particularly in the south and south-east. The heat and continuing drought conditions are being intensified by the worsening climate crisis, putting huge pressure on vulnerable people, critical infrastructure and wildlife across affected areas.
Temperatures could reach 36C (97F) or higher this week, forecasters have said. Monday will be slightly cooler before temperatures rise again on Tuesday.