The Environment Agency declared official drought conditions across seven regions covering large areas of central, eastern, and southern England on July 29, 2026.
Persistent dry weather has severely depleted water reserves.
>>> KIJK to Stream Volendam vs Ajax Friendly on Pay-Per-View Basis
Official records show July brought just 7% of expected rainfall across England, with levels plunging to 1% in southern regions.
River flows dropped significantly at 84% of monitored sites, while nationwide reservoir storage fell to 75.3%.
"The hot and dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it," said Helen Wakeham, director of water at the Environment Agency and chair of the National Drought Group.
Widespread water use restrictions now affect nearly 40% of England's population.
Temporary use bans were expanded by major utility providers, including Thames Water and South East Water, while the Environment Agency manages growing environmental incidents and wildfire risks.
Agricultural Impacts Severe
Agricultural impacts remain severe across southern regions, where early cereal harvesting, livestock feed shortages, and crop failures are worsening.
Agronomist advice indicates UK crop yields have dropped by an average of 25% this season.
"We think the River Parrett was lower in 1976, but I would say this is the worst drought since," said Duncan Palmer, a farmer from Bower Hinton in Somerset.
Drought conditions followed an extended dry spell through mid-July, during which weekly rainfall stayed under 1 millimeter across the country, driving soil moisture deficits to record highs in multiple regions.
