- Almost three-quarters (71.3 per cent) of England has now been officially declared in drought following persistent historically dry and hot weather , according to the National Drought Group.
- The East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs are the latest regions to move into official drought status.
- With no area in England currently deemed to be in normal status, all regions are experiencing severe pressure on water resources, impacting public supplies, agriculture, navigation, and the environment.
- The North East and Yorkshire have been moved to prolonged dry weather status, which represents the final stage before an official drought is declared.
- The ongoing water crisis follows provisional statistics showing that England and Wales recorded their driest July since 1836, with 19 English counties receiving no rain at all during the month.
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