Half of England declares drought after 23million Brits hit by hosepipe ban – check full list of 7 regions affected

DROUGHT has been declared across half of England following prolonged dry weather and low rainfall. The announcement comes after more than 23million Brits were hit by hosepipe bans. Seven regions of the UK are now experiencing drought Credit: Bav Media This alert follows three heatwaves, including 12 consecutive days of temperatures above 30C Credit: Doug Seeburg/News Group Newspapers Ltd The seven areas currently in drought include East Anglia, Hertfordshire and the whole of London, Thames Valley, Hampshire & the Isle of Wight, Devon & Cornwall, the West Midlands and Wessex (covering Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and south Gloucestershire). Helen Wakeham, director of water at the Environment Agency and chair of the National Drought Group, said: “The hot and dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! “A second consecutive summer drought is an exceptionally serious situation and one that will have long-lasting impacts on our environment, wildlife, and the economy.” July saw just seven per cent of expected rainfall, falling to one per cent across southern England. Last week, parts of North Wales and the Upper Severn declared drought, becoming the first recorded cases in the UK this year. As a result, the Environment Agency said it has “stepped up” its operational response, including enhanced monitoring and controlling how much water can be taken from rivers and groundwaters. Water Minister, Emma Hardy, added: “Our climate is changing, droughts are becoming increasingly common, and we need to be prepared for this new normal. “We expect water companies to follow their drought plans, to go further and faster to reduce leaks, and to ensure supplies are not disrupted even in the driest of weather.” Most read in The Sun The latest alert now means there have been three droughts in the past five years – 2022, 2025 and now 2026. The continued period of warm weather has also seen millions of households hit with a hosepipe ban, as Thames Water becomes the latest provider to bring restrictions to 10million of its customers. South East Water also announced last week that 2.4million more of its customers would come under restrictions. Homes across Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire have also been affected. Areas that are now in prolonged dry weather are Kent & East Sussex, Cumbria & Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Cheshire, East Midlands, Lincolnshire & Northamptonshire, The rest of Solent & the South Downs. Now, just Yorkshire and the North East remain in normal status, with the situation under close review. All UK areas in drought conditions North Gwynedd Ynys Môn (Anglesey) South Gwynedd Dee Clywyd Upper Severn East Anglia, Hertfordshire and the whole of London, Thames Valley, Hampshire & the Isle of Wight. Devon & Cornwall, The West Midlands Wessex (covering Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and south Gloucestershire) Comment now