Image description: A field of dry grass. Image by Alexandre Debiève / Unsplash

The National Drought Group met this week with the current water shortfall situation in England now defined as a “nationally significant incident” according to the Environment Agency.

The agency reported that five of its fourteen operational regions are already in drought, while six more are experiencing prolonged dry spells, leaving water reserves depleted and crops damaged following the driest six months to July since 1976.

The National Drought Group – which includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, the National Farmers’ Union, Canal & River Trust, anglers, and conservation expert, , has convened to assess the worsening situation. Their discussions come as much of England braces for a fourth heatwave this summer.

Reservoirs are under pressure, holding just 67.7 per cent of their capacity compared to the early August average of 80.5 per cent. The picture for rivers is equally troubling. Nearly half of all river flows are running below normal levels. In response, Yorkshire in northern England has already introduced a hosepipe ban.