Around 45 million people – three-quarters of England – are now living in drought conditions after the country recorded its driest July since records began in 1836.
The National Drought Group said all areas of the country were facing water shortages – with farming, and the environment particularly impacted. Hose pipe bans are now affecting 27m people and some regions and now facing bans on washing cars, watering out door plants on commercial premises, and filling public swimming pools.
And the group, made up of water companies, the environment agency, the met office and government, and warned that conditions will get worse following a dry start to August.
Shorts
Four new areas have moved into official drought status the government siad – the East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs.
