Cambridgeshire officially in drought, government declares

The Environment Agency confirmed that East Anglia is among seven regions now in drought, following weeks of low rainfall, high temperatures and a long period of dry weather.

Much of central, eastern and southern England is now in what experts have termed a "flash drought"—a rapid onset drought driven by prolonged heat and scarcity of rain.

Rivers in affected areas are running low, crops are being harvested early, wildfire risks are rising and millions of residents face restrictions on water usage.

Helen Wakeham, director of water at the Environment Agency and chair of the National Drought Group, said: "The hot and dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it.

"A second consecutive summer drought is an exceptionally serious situation and one that will have long-lasting impacts on our environment, wildlife and the economy."

The seven regions now in drought are East Anglia, Hertfordshire and London, Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, the West Midlands and Wessex.

Water companies in those areas are implementing measures including temporary use bans, also known as hosepipe bans.

Reservoir levels across England have dropped to 75.3 per cent, about 7.4 per cent below the seasonal average.

Nearly half of reservoirs are now rated as "below normal" for the time of year.

Some rivers are at record-low flows for this time of year, including the River Cam in Dernford, Cambridgeshire.

Current conditions mark the third drought in five years, following similar shortages in 2022 and 2025.

July has seen just seven per cent of typical rainfall nationally, with parts of southern England recording only one per cent.

Wildfires remain a serious risk, with soil moisture reaching record lows for this time in July across large parts of the country, and 110 wildfires already reported on Sites of Special Scientific Interest this year.

Reduced river flows have led to more than 1,500 restrictions on water abstraction.

This presents significant difficulties for agriculture in East Anglia, which is often referred to as the nation’s breadbasket.

Emma Hardy, water minister, said: "Our climate is changing, droughts are becoming increasingly common and we need to be prepared for this new normal.

"We’re delivering long-term change in the water industry and driving record investments in infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs."

Drought status in England & Wales (Image: PA Wire)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat health alerts for large parts of the country, including London, the East Midlands and the East of England.

Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "The warm and exceptionally dry conditions experienced across much of England over recent months are continuing to have a significant impact.

"Many areas have received very little or no rainfall throughout July, extending a period of below-average rainfall that has persisted across parts of the country since spring."

The Environment Agency is urging the public to use water responsibly, highlighting small changes that can make a meaningful difference.

They recommend turning off taps while brushing teeth, taking shorter showers and fixing leaking toilets as ways to help conserve supplies.