Continued heatwaves and droughts in the UK could lead to water rationing for the public, danger to critical national infrastructure and a risk of civil disorder, the Government’s emergency planning documents say.
A reasonable worst-case scenario based on three consecutive years of extreme dry weather is set out in the UK’s National Risk Register, which was updated earlier this month.
Under the scenario, large parts of southern and eastern England would experience severe drought conditions, while neighbouring areas of the Midlands and south west would also be affected. The document says “there would need to be public water supply restrictions”.
Shorts
Restrictions could range from hosepipe bans – which are already in place in some areas for the current drought in England and Wales – to rationing, when supplies to people’s homes and businesses would be turned off or limited at certain times of the day under emergency drought orders.
