Half of England has been declared in drought by the Environment Agency after very low rainfall and high temperatures placed pressure on water supplies and the environment.
The areas in drought are East Anglia, Hertfordshire and London, Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, the West Midlands, and Wessex, covering Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and south Gloucestershire.
The agency said a large part of central, eastern and southern England is experiencing a flash drought, which develops quickly through the combination of very low rainfall and higher temperatures. Rivers are running low, farmers are having to harvest crops early, wildfire risk is increasing and millions of people are living under restrictions on water use.
The Environment Agency has stepped up its operational response, including enhanced monitoring and controls on how much water can be taken from rivers and groundwater. The National Drought Group held a dedicated briefing with Water Minister Emma Hardy on Tuesday 28 July to review impacts, preparedness and response actions.
Water companies have been told to prioritise fixing leaks. The government said there is also additional engagement with groups including farmers and water companies, alongside cross-government work to secure supplies into the autumn.
The current drought means England has seen three droughts in five years, following droughts in 2022 and 2025. The agency said July has seen just 7% of expected rainfall, falling to 1% across southern England, alongside three heatwaves including 12 consecutive days above 30C.