Dustbowl Britain: Heat health alerts issued for all of England as 36C heatwave arrives and almost three-quarters of country is plunged into drought

Britain's sixth heatwave of the year will build from today to a 36C peak this Thursday - with no rain in the forecast and almost three-quarters of England now in drought.UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) amber heat health alerts will be active for most of England from this morning until Friday evening, warning of a 'rise in deaths'.The Government urged people to stay safe by drinking plenty of water, checking on vulnerable friends and family and avoiding the sun at the hottest part of the day.Highs of 26C in London, 28C in Manchester and 29C in Cardiff are expected today, before the mercury soars in some areas to 34C tomorrow and 36C on Thursday. Friday is likely to hit at least 30C, before a slight drop to 26C across this weekend.The Met Office is considering issuing an extreme heat warning, after doing so in the June heatwave – which was the first time such an alert had been issued in four years.It comes as the Environment Agency (EA) said 71 per cent of England is experiencing a 'flash drought' as a dry start to August followed the country's driest July on record.While there is no meaningful rain in this week's forecast for drought-hit areas of England, meteorologists have spotted early signs that showers could move across the country on Sunday - bringing the first proper rain to southern areas in two months.Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said: 'Heat will gradually build this week, with temperatures reaching into the mid-30Cs in what will be a fairly widespread heatwave for England and Wales. The Met Office forecast for London shows highs of 34C tomorrow and 35C on Thursday Dry grass surrounds Brockwell Lido in south London yesterday amid the ongoing hot weather 'The driver for this week's heat is high pressure, this becoming dominant over the next day or so, bringing plenty of sunshine and allowing temperatures to build day-by-day.'Southerly or southeasterly winds will also tap into the hot conditions over Europe, meaning we're looking at further notable heat for many this week, likely peaking on Thursday.'UKHSA amber heat health alerts have been issued for the Midlands, South East, North West and South West of England, while a yellow alert will be in force for the North East.The amber alerts warn of 'significant impacts' across health and social care services due to the heat. This includes a 'rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions'. TOP TEN HOTTEST DAYS IN BRITAIN - INCLUDING TWO IN JUNE 20261 40.3C July 19, 2022 Coningsby, Lincolnshire 2 38.7C July 25, 2019 Cambridge 3 38.5C August 10, 2003 Faversham, Kent 4 38.2C July 18, 2022 Pitsford, Northamptonshire 5 38.0C June 26, 2026 Lingwood, Norfolk 6 37.8C July 31, 2020 London Heathrow 7 37.1C August 3, 1990 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire 8= 36.7C August 9, 1911 Raunds, Northamptonshire 8= 36.7C July 1, 2015 London Heathrow 8= 36.7C June 25, 2026 Merryfield, Somerset The latest heatwave is set to subside over the weekend and bring fresher air and rain - although this is not expected to make up for the shortfall in recent months.Sarah Davies, head of environment and energy at the Met Office, said: 'Forecasts for the remainder of August and into September suggest a good deal of dry weather is expected, mixed with some unsettled spells.'While some areas may see useful rainfall at times, there is currently no strong signal for a sustained period of widespread rainfall, with below-average rainfall more likely than above-average for the period as a whole.'Examining the possibility of rain later week, BBC lead weather presenter Simon King wrote: 'We have to look towards Sunday, where there are some signs of some rain coming into the UK from the Atlantic.'Low pressure bringing rain-bearing weather fronts will move in across Wales and southern England and - for some - a spell of rain.'While this does not currently look to be particularly heavy or persistent, there could be the first bit of proper rain for many in nearly two months.'This summer has been one of extreme heat and dry conditions, with two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June that led to the deaths of more than 2,800 people.This was followed by two further heatwaves in July, and a fifth was confirmed last week. An aerial view of the dry grass at Radnage Recreation Ground in Buckinghamshire yesterday Dried and yellowed grass at Parliament Square in London yesterday amid drought conditions The artificial hockey pitch at Marlow Hockey Club and the desiccated cricket pitches yesterdayThe UK has been struggling with the impact of extreme weather including drought, heatwaves and wildfires.Some 45million people are in drought-stricken areas, and 27million customers are under hosepipe bans as rivers and reservoirs run low.Rainfall in July ranged from 1 per cent of the average in the South East to 26 per cent in the North West. Some parts of Hampshire, Isle of Wight and West Sussex have not had rain for 59 days.Farmers have warned of a 'brutal harvest' for crops and a lack of feed for livestock, and there have been warnings of food price inflation shocks later in the year as a searing summer across Europe feeds through from fields to supermarket shelves.Meanwhile firefighters continue to battle a series of fires across the UK, including one in the New Forest National Park which began in a van and spread to nearby heathland.Families were forced to abandon their cars on Sunday and flee for their lives after police feared the fuel-laden vehicles could become 'bombs' if caught in the flames, and told occupants to flee to 'stay alive'.Dozens of fire crews fought to control the blaze, which leapt through acres of 'tinderbox bracken' by the A31 near Ringwood in Hampshire.The area hit by the blaze is protected heathland and home to a number of rare species. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews had worked overnight as more than 120 firefighters attended the scene.Elsewhere, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews were attending 'multiple wildfire incidents', including at Cwmavon Woods in Blaenavon, Wattsville in Sirhowy Valley and Abernant in Aberdare.The EA said yesterday that the East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs have become the latest areas to move into drought.A 'flash drought', which the country is experiencing, is one which develops very quickly because of a combination of very low rainfall and high temperatures.The announcement came after a meeting of officials, water companies and farming leaders under the National Drought Group, which warned that all regions of the country are experiencing pressure on their water resources, with impacts on agriculture, public water supplies and the environment. Water firms imposing hosepipe bans in 2026 Affinity WaterAnglian WaterCambridge WaterDŵr Cymru Welsh WaterEssex and Suffolk WaterSouthern WaterSouth East WaterSouth West WaterThames Water Last week, the EA said half of England had plunged into flash drought – one which develops very quickly because of a combination of very low rainfall and high temperatures – and the latest announcement means 71.3 per cent of the country is in drought.The North East and Yorkshire have moved to 'prolonged dry weather' status, the stage before drought, and nowhere in England is in 'normal' status, the EA said.Downing Street defended the Government's response to the heatwave and wildfires, insisting it was focused on the immediate response and long-term resilience to increasing extremes, from working with the National Drought Group to backing major investment in infrastructure such as reservoirs.After the latest meeting of the National Drought Group, its chairman Tony Grayling, strategic drought lead at the Environment Agency, said: 'Drought conditions are worsening and will continue to do so until we see significant and sustained rainfall.'We know the hot and dry weather is taking a real toll on farming and there will be long-lasting impacts on our environment.'We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated over the summer, but we need everyone's help in using a little less water to make sure our current water reserves last. Every drop we can save is a drop more for your local farmers, local wildlife and local rivers.'The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat health alerts across England A UK heatwave is official when a location records at least three consecutive days of daily maximum temperatures which meet or exceed a specified threshold - which varies by regionWater minister Emma Hardy, who attended the National Drought Group, said: 'We know how challenging this summer has been, especially for our hard-working farmers who are at the sharp end of climate change and an increasing number of floods and droughts.'She said the Government was working to make it easier for farmers to build more onsite irrigation reservoirs – something farming leaders have been calling for – and was delivering 'long-term change' in the water industry to reduce leaks and deliver nine new reservoirs.'As we move through this period of drought, I expect water companies to take every available step to minimise leakage and support customers in using water wisely,' she said, as she thanked people for abiding by the hosepipe bans.The EA said rivers, reservoirs and groundwater continue to decline, water temperatures are rising, leading to more fish rescues, 245 wildfires have been reported on protected sites this year, and important wetland and peatland habitats are drying out.Only 14 per cent of rivers are at normal levels and more than a fifth (22 per cent) are exceptionally low, including the Avon, Wye, Ely, Ouse and Exe, while reservoir levels have fallen to 69 per cent – well below normal for the time of year.The agency added that the latest drought is the third in the past five years, after 2022 and 2025, and mainland Europe is also struggling with heatwaves, dry weather and low river flows.Meanwhile, Chessington World of Adventures Resort will reopen today after being forced to shut yesterday due to a water outage.Thousands of disappointed families were turned away from the theme park in Surrey after a burst water main forced it to close in the middle of the summer holidays.Thames Water, which supplies Chessington, said engineers worked to fix a burst main on a road leading into the attraction that was affecting customers in the KT9 area.