Drone Images Show 70% of England in Drought After 60 Dry Days in Surrey
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Aug 18
Drone Images Show 70% of England in Drought After 60 Dry Days in Surrey
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Aug 18
Summary
Drone photographs from South East England show brown fields, shrunken rivers and drought damage after about two months without significant rain.
July 2026 was England's driest July since records began 190 years ago, and Wisley in Surrey went 60 days without recording rainfall during the summer.
The National Drought Group says 70% of England is now in drought, with many households in the South East under hosepipe bans as water companies face high demand.
Low river levels are straining wetlands and wildlife, while some farmers say they are already feeding winter supplies to livestock and emergency services have repeatedly warned of wildfire risk.
Scientists say climate change is making UK summers hotter and drier, with more intense heatwaves and droughts following wetter winters and stronger storms.