UK heatwave – live: Drought declared across large part of England

Yorkshire Water the latest company to declare hosepipe ban

Aftermath of Dagenham wildfires shows devastation

A drought has been declared across a large part of England as the driest summer in decades leaves millions facing water restrictions.

Parts of the southwest and swathes of southern, eastern and central England are to be moved into drought status, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says.

Yorkshire Water is the latest company to announce a hosepipe ban as another heatwave scorches the country after months of low rainfall.

The restrictions will come into effect from 26 August, the company’s director, Neil Dewis, said, citing fears over falling water stocks and a need for caution over “clean water supplies and long-term river health” as the basis for its decision.

On Thursday, experts warned that only “exceptional rainfall” in these worst affected parts of the country over the autumn and winter would ensure that water resources returned to normal before next year, sparking concern that restrictions could last into 2023.

“The autumn-winter period as a whole will be critical to dictating what the water resources position will be as we go into 2023,” said Jamie Hannaford, a hydrologist at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

Key Points

• Drought declared in areas of England
• Yorkshire Water announces first hosepipe ban in 27 years
• UK climate effects already ‘worse than feared’ and are likely to deteriorate
• UK ‘completely unprepared’ to deal with ‘brutal, brutal’ wildfires, union warns
• Four-day extreme heat warning takes effect
• ‘Exceptional’ wildfire risk in place

[11 August 2022 23:00 · Aisha Rimi]

Hot dry weather ‘could trigger dangerous landslides and rockfalls’

As the UK approaches official drought conditions, experts are warning the public to beware of extra risks from rock falls and landslides.

The prolonged hot and dry weather means cracks in the solid rocks in cliff faces and in the ground, which have long been filled with sediments, soils and clays, are increasingly likely to shift as their moisture content is lost – a process which can result in sudden cracks and failures.

On the Jurassic Coast in Devon, warnings are in place to encourage the public to be cautious close to the cliffs, following a major cliff collapse near Sidmouth.

Our Environment Correspondent Harry Cockburn has the full story:

[12 August 2022 00:05 · Aisha Rimi]

How to keep your children safe during a heatwave

There are so many creative ways you can help your children stay safe and cool that should not be overlooked, including regular application of suncream and making DIY ice lollies from fridge essentials.

With temperatures set to climb this week to highs of 35C in some parts of the UK, The Independent has put together a list of all the best tips and tricks to ensure kids can escape the sweltering weather too.

[12 August 2022 01:03 · Aisha Rimi]

Water firms fail on targets to cut household leaks and domestic use

Water companies have failed to meet their own targets for cutting household leaks and domestic use as parts of the country brace for a drought to be declared.

Of the 17 largest companies in England and Wales regulated by Ofwat, only South West Water met its goal to reduce water consumption to 142 litres per day per person in 2021-22, through the rollout of smart meters, fixing leaks and advising customers how to save water.

The missed targets combined with companies’ failure to fix faulty main pipes, estimated to spew out about 3 billion litres a day, have led to calls for action to reduce demand and bolster dwindling stocks amid the second major heatwave in weeks.

Our Climate Correspondant Saphora Smith has the full story:

[12 August 2022 02:04 · Aisha Rimi]

Voices: Private companies are failing us – water should be in public hands

With droughts expected to be declared in parts of the UK by tomorrow, and many households already facing restrictions on the water usage, it could come as a shock to many to learn that up to three billion litres of water are wasted each day. When water was first privatised, the story was that this would result in record investment. But the country still struggles with Victorian infrastructure and the money promised for investment has been paid out in dividends instead.

While monopoly water companies are paying out to shareholders, they lose between a quarter and a fifth of the water in their mains through unrepaired leaks while sewage regularly flows into rivers and coastlines.

This is a national scandal and the water industry cannot continue to be rewarded for its failure.

Read the full opinion piece here:

[12 August 2022 03:00 · Aisha Rimi]

What is the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?

As we prepare for more intense summer conditions, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of heatstroke, and how it is different from heat exhaustion.

The latter occurs when the body is exposed to high temperatures and excessive sweating, typically from a loss of water and salt in the body.

Heatstroke is a condition in which the body can no longer control its temperature. When it occurs, the body’s temperature can rise to 41C (106 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher within 10 to 15 minutes.

Our Lifestyle team has the full explanation:

[12 August 2022 04:01 · Aisha Rimi]

The Met Office: Another hot and dry day expected across the UK

[12 August 2022 05:03 · Aisha Rimi]

Government responds to Labour’s claims that they ‘have put the smoke alarm on snooze'

A government spokesperson said: “The government is committed to ensuring fire services have the resources they need to keep us safe, including from wildfires, and, overall, fire and rescue authorities will receive around £2.5 billion in 2022/23.

“Lessons from the July heatwave are being implemented at pace and we are conducting daily risk assessments with the key agencies involved to ensure we’re fully prepared for extreme weather.

“We will set out our approach for the country’s resilience to 2030 and make sure we continue to be prepared to meet all future challenges.”

[12 August 2022 06:00 · Aisha Rimi]

Watch: Sky above southern France fills with flames after wildfires rage across the country

[12 August 2022 07:00 · Aisha Rimi]

In Pictures: Wildfires rage across Europe

A man and a child watch a wildfire in Carrapichana, Celorico da Beira, Portugal (REUTERS)

A view shows trees and vegetation burnt by a major fire in Hostens, as wildfires continue to spread in the Gironde region of southwestern France (REUTERS)

A view of a house and a car destroyed by fire in Belin-Beliet, as wildfires continue to spread in the Gironde region of southwestern France (REUTERS)

A picture taken overnight on August 11, 2022 shows the sky turning red as it is illuminated by flames at a wildfire near Belin-Beliet, southwestern France (AFP via Getty Images)

[12 August 2022 07:25 · Sravasti Dasgupta]

Drought may be declared for parts of England amid heatwave

Drought is expected to be declared for some parts of England, as another heatwave scorches the country after months of low rainfall.

There are expectations drought could be declared for the most affected areas of England in the south and east, after the driest July on record for some areas and the driest first half of the year since 1976.

The National Drought Group – made up of Government and agency officials, water companies and other groups such as the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) – is set to meet today to discuss the prolonged dry weather.

Emily Beament has more: