England, Wales Sink Into Drought as 71.3% of England Dries Out
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 20
England, Wales Sink Into Drought as 71.3% of England Dries Out
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 20
Summary
Nearly three-quarters of England and all of Wales are now in drought, with parched reservoirs, hosepipe bans and a summer that has already been linked to almost 3,000 heatwave deaths.
Scientists say the crisis reflects “climate whiplash” — hotter, drier summers followed by wetter winters — with El Niño expected to raise flood risks this winter even after recent storms and cooler weather.
Britain’s water system is ill-prepared, critics argue, because private monopolies have underinvested for decades; England’s last big reservoir was built in 1992, before privatisation.
Water companies are urging shorter showers and seeking pricing changes as demand strains supply, while experts warn future shortages could trigger conflicts over water use between households, farmers and datacentres.