England drought covers 71% of country amid heatwave

Nearly three-quarters of England is now officially in drought, the Environment Agency confirmed on August 10, 2026, following the nation's driest July on record and a relentless summer of heatwaves. The declaration means 71.3 percent of the country is experiencing a "flash drought," a rapid-onset condition driven by exceptionally low rainfall and high temperatures, affecting approximately 45 million people.

The update from the National Drought Group, which includes officials, water companies, and agricultural representatives, added the East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs to the list of drought-affected areas. This brings the total to cover most of the country, with no region of England remaining in "normal" status. The North East and Yorkshire have progressed to a "prolonged dry weather" classification, the phase immediately preceding a drought declaration.

The worsening conditions come as the United Kingdom prepares for its fifth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures forecast to reach the mid-30s Celsius later this week, peaking at 36C on Thursday. This summer has been marked by severe heat, including two...