In England, the drought zone is expected to expand amid a new heat wave
A number of regions in England may officially declare a drought amid what is likely to be the fifth heat wave of the year. The National Drought Group (NDG) was scheduled to meet on August 10 to assess the situation in new areas, according to The Guardian.
By that point, the drought had already spread across all of Wales and more than half of England. The prolonged dry and hot weather has caused river levels to drop, increased the risk of wildfires, and created water supply problems, particularly in the south and southeast of the country.
According to the Environment Agency, more than 25 million people faced water restrictions. Millions of customers, including all customers of South East Water and Thames Water, were subject to a temporary ban on the use of garden hoses.
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Forecasters predicted that temperatures could reach 36°C or higher this week. Sunday marked the 34th day since the start of the year when temperatures in some part of the UK exceeded 30°C, tying the record set in 1995.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber heat warnings for the West and East Midlands, southeastern England, London, and the east of the country. They were in effect from 9:00 a.m. Tuesday until 6:00 p.m. Wednesday. Such warnings indicate an increased likelihood of the heat having a negative impact on people aged 65 and older and those with underlying health conditions, as well as a potential strain on the healthcare system.
According to The Guardian, two record-breaking heat waves in May and June 2026 were linked to more than 2,800 excess deaths. Two additional heat waves in July, along with the driest July in England and Wales since records began in 1836, exacerbated drought conditions and increased the risk of wildfires.
