How bad is the UK drought and how long will it continue?
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- The National Drought Group declared an "exceptionally serious" flash drought after a nearly rainless July left almost 75% of England in drought conditions — the driest July in nearly two centuries.
- Reservoir levels in England fell to 69%, 11.6% below seasonal norms, with July alone producing the largest raw storage drop in at least 30 years despite a preceding wet winter.
- Nearly 250 wildfires have burned through biodiversity hotspots, 22% of rivers are at exceptionally low levels, and stressed trees are shedding leaves in a premature "false autumn" — the third such drought in five years.
- Southern Water has applied for a drought order to ban commercial activities such as car washing and window cleaning; emergency drought orders could bring rota cuts and street standpipes as in 1976 if conditions worsen.
- Farmers warn of potentially the worst UK harvest on record, with wheat yields down 14%, potato yields 10-15% lower, and drought-related losses projected to cost arable farmers £390 million in revenue.
- The Environment Agency forecasts a 5 billion litre per day shortfall in England's water supply by 2050 unless new reservoirs, transfer schemes, or desalination plants are built.
- The Met Office says next week's expected rain will not end the drought and long-term forecasts favour a dry September, with a wet autumn critical to avoid emergency restrictions next spring.
Why it matters: Arable farmers face a potential £390 million in losses as drought conditions push UK food prices higher this autumn, particularly for fruit. Households face escalating water restrictions, though emergency rota cuts remain unlikely given water industry improvements since 1976.
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