Wales Declared In Drought Amid UK Heatwave

Natural Resources Wales has extended its drought declaration to cover the entirety of the country. This follows a period of very little rainfall and sustained high temperatures. The declaration was initially made for North Wales and the Upper Severn last week.

July has been exceptionally dry across Wales, with the country receiving only 8% of its long-term average rainfall. Officials from Natural Resources Wales indicated that the country is on course to record its driest July since records began 190 years ago.

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National Impact of Dry Weather

The UK has experienced its fourth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures climbing above 35C. This extreme weather has led to significant pressure on water resources across the country. Half of England is also officially in drought, despite a wet winter, due to a dry spring compounded by an extremely dry July.

The UK Health Security Agency has stated that 2026 is likely to see the highest number of heat-associated deaths on record. Data shows that there have been almost double the number of excess deaths caused by heatwaves so far this year compared to all of last summer. An estimated 2,877 heat-associated deaths occurred during heatwaves in May and June this year.

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The ongoing dry conditions have resulted in widespread hosepipe bans, affecting approximately 23 million customers. Additionally, nearly 1,400 businesses have been required to halt water abstraction. River flows, wildlife, crops, and livestock have all been impacted by the hot and dry weather.

Agricultural and Environmental Concerns

Farmers are reporting early harvests and poorer yields for crops such as cereals. Livestock farmers are using winter feed due to poor grass growth. Even farms with on-site reservoirs may face supply issues in August. The hard-baked earth is also expected to create difficulties for harvesting root vegetables like potatoes and carrots.

Calls are being made for greater agricultural resilience to climate change. This includes making it easier to construct on-farm reservoirs and implementing flexible abstraction licences. The National Trust, which has experienced wildfires at several of its sites, is advocating for actions to help people adapt to a changing climate. This includes creating more resilient landscapes and improving building standards for future homes.

Future Outlook

While temperatures are expected to cool and some rain is forecast for next week, meteorologists do not anticipate the persistent, heavy rainfall needed to significantly alleviate the current water deficit. Met Office chief meteorologist Will Lang noted that forecasts suggest drier than average conditions will continue through August, particularly in southern and eastern areas. Meaningful recovery is more likely to depend on more frequent and widespread rainfall during the autumn months.