Drought Declared Across Entire Wales As Country Heads For Driest July In 190 Years
Drought Declared Across Entire Wales as Country Heads for Driest July in 190 Years Drought conditions have now been extended across the whole of Wales after environmental authorities warned that the country is on course to record its driest July since rainfall records began nearly 190 years ago, raising concerns over water supplies, agriculture and the risk of wildfires. Natural Resources Wales NRW announced that the drought designation, which had initially covered parts of north Wales and the Upper Severn catchment, has now been expanded nationwide following weeks of exceptionally low rainfall, high temperatures and declining river levels. Officials said many rivers and streams are running significantly below normal levels, placing increasing pressure on wildlife, farming and public water resources. The prolonged dry spell has prompted authorities to urge residents and businesses to use water responsibly. While reservoir levels remain relatively stable in some areas, officials warned that continued dry weather could lead to further restrictions if conditions fail to improve. Water companies have already introduced hosepipe bans in parts of Wales and England as demand continues to rise during the hot summer. The Met Office has forecast that only limited rainfall is expected in the coming days, meaning July is likely to become the driest on record for Wales unless there is a significant change in weather conditions before the end of the month. Experts say the extreme conditions have also heightened the risk of wildfires, with emergency services responding to several blazes across the UK in recent weeks. Environmental experts say the worsening drought underscores the growing impact of climate change on the UK, with hotter, drier summers becoming more frequent. Authorities have urged the public to conserve water wherever possible while monitoring weather conditions and official updates as Wales faces one of its most severe periods of summer dryness in modern history.
