Parts of England have been declared in severe drought for the first time since
1995 after record summer heat and months of below-average rainfall, leaving
reservoir levels well below seasonal norms. The government raised drought status
to the highest level in parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex
and West Sussex and instructed the Environment Agency to prioritize public water
supply over environmental needs where necessary, allowing water companies to
retain more reservoir volume. Extreme heat has sparked wildfires and crop
damage; rising demand, together with existing network leaks and supply
interruptions, has increased pressure on water systems. Household supply has not
been cut, but some areas face hosepipe bans; ministers have ordered daily
monitoring of reservoir and river levels and stepped-up checks on water
abstraction.
