A drought has officially been declared in North Wales as 23million Brits remain under hosepipe bans amid record-breaking dry weather.The area has enjoyed less than 2 per cent of the rainfall expected for July so far, leaving river flows at a perilously low level and swathes of land completely dried out.It becomes the first part of the UK hit by drought status in 2026 amid an unusually hot and dry summer.Rhian Thomas, sustainable water and nature manager at Natural Resources Wales, said: 'While drought status does not automatically mean water shortages for customers, it does reflect the growing pressure being placed on our environment.'We are asking everyone to play their part by using water wisely and helping to protect Wales’ natural resources during this exceptionally dry period.'England has received just 3 per cent of its average rainfall for July leaving large parts of the country in prolonged dry weather status. Regional totals for the month to date ranged from 9 per cent of the long-term average in the North West to nothing in the East and South East, the Met Office said. Last year, a historically hot June brought drought to sections of the UK, including North West England and Yorkshire. A drought has officially been declared in North Wales as 23million Brits remain under hosepipe bans amid record-breaking dry weather (Stock Photo) A grass fire takes hold on the clifftop coastal path from Limeslade Bay to Langland Bay in Wales