Three-quarters of England in drought as summer’s fifth heatwave looms

The news that almost three-quarters of England is now in drought status, with four more regions officially declared to be in a state of drought, should come as no surprise. The climate crisis unfolding across Europe has been unfolding for some time.

The numbers are stark: 27 million people face restrictions on their water use, farmers report their earliest harvests in two decades, and reservoir levels have plummeted to 69%, an 11.6% drop from expectations for this time of year. This is a clear indication that our rapidly changing climate is outpacing even the most dire predictions.

Climate change is often associated with rising temperatures, but its impact is more complex. As Prof Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, notes: “It’s making droughts develop faster and hit harder.” The flash drought in England has developed with alarming speed due to low rainfall and soaring temperatures, leaving the country precariously close to a record number of heat-related deaths this summer.

The economic implications are already being felt. Farmers are struggling to access water for their crops, livestock, and dairy operations – a situation exacerbated by the prospect of yet another heatwave on the horizon. The government’s response has been half-hearted at best: Emma Hardy, the water minister, promises “more support” to farmers, which seems to boil down to making it easier to build on-farm reservoirs.

Southern Europe is bracing itself for another sweltering heatwave, with temperatures potentially exceeding 35C in some areas. Italy and coastal Croatia are already experiencing extreme heat, while record temperatures have been registered in Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary. The pattern is unmistakable: climate change is no longer a distant threat but an omnipresent reality.

The UK’s National Health Security Agency has issued updated heat health alerts for nine regions, warning of increased risks to vulnerable groups. As river temperatures rise – with the River Misbourne reaching 28C in Buckinghamshire and the Hampshire Avon clocking in at 27C – it’s clear that England is on a collision course with disaster.

Many farmers have completed the earliest harvest on record, with poor yields reported in some areas. Livestock and dairy farmers are using winter feed because grass has stopped growing – it’s a perfect storm. The government’s response has been to consider ways to make it easier for farmers to build reservoirs.

The UK’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for the rest of Europe: climate change is no longer just about rising temperatures; it’s about altered ecosystems, changed weather patterns, and the devastating consequences that follow. Policymakers must take bold action – not just empty promises to “support” farmers or “make things easier.” The clock is ticking, and England’s future is looking increasingly parched.

As the summer heatwave approaches, one can only wonder what the next few weeks will bring. Will the government finally grasp the nettle of climate change and commit to meaningful action? Or will we continue down a path of piecemeal responses to an existential crisis? The answer lies in the dust bowl that England is rapidly becoming – a desiccating future that should serve as a stark warning to all who care about the fate of our planet.