Nearly three-quarters of England in drought as another heatwave approaches

Almost three-quarters of England is now in drought as conditions worsen following a dry start to August, the National Drought Group warned on Monday.



The group, made up of regulators, government officials, water companies and agricultural bodies, made the announcement after a meeting on Monday.



It warned that all regions of England are experiencing pressure on their water resources, with increasing impacts across agriculture, public supplies, navigation and the environment.



The East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, Solent and the South Downs became the latest areas to move into drought status on Monday.



The move means 71.3 percent of England is now experiencing a flash drought, which has developed very quickly due to a combination of very low rainfall and higher temperatures.



Around 45 million people in England are now living in drought areas, with over 27 million people under restrictions on water use.



The changes follow the driest July in 190 years, while rainfall so far in August has amounted to just 5 percent of the expected level.