Canals have been left running dry across England and Wales as Britain continues to bake in what could become its hottest summer ever. More than 30 sections of the 2,000-mile canal network have closed to prevent boaters travelling through low water levels - with officials warning that more could be forced to shut as soaring temperatures continue throughout August. It comes after the Met Office warned 2026 could surpass the long, hot summer of 1976 - the UK's hottest on record based on highest average daily maximum temperature. The forecaster issued a rare 15-hour amber 'extreme heat' warning for southern and central England from 9am tomorrow – only its second such alert in four years. The whole of England has also been put under an amber heat health alert until Friday night by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which warned of a 'rise in deaths'.The lack of rain - resulting in the driest July since records began in 1836 - combined with water evaporating in the hot weather has forced the Canal and River Trust to introduce strict restrictions. The charity, which runs the canal network, has urged boaters to cancel any non-essential journeys and share locks - water-filled chambers used to raise and lower boats between stretches of water at different heights. In a bid to save water, it has also suspended rules that stopped boaters mooring in the same place for more than two weeks. The Grantham Canal (pictured) at Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire, has dried up in the heat Other scorched areas of the canal network include the Montgomery Canal at Llanymynech (pictured)