A state of drought was declared on Friday in much of England, which had its driest start to the year for nearly half a century, the British government announced.
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This measure, involving measures at the local level that can go as far as restrictions on the use of water, is declared for the first time since 2018.
It comes in the middle of a heat wave in the United Kingdom, the second of the summer, in a country unaccustomed to high temperatures. According to scientists, these episodes will multiply, lengthen and intensify under the effect of global warming.
An orange “extreme heat” alert has been in effect from Thursday until Friday over most of southern England and part of Wales, according to the British forecaster Met Office. If the absolute record of 40.3°C reached on July 20 is not reached, temperatures of up to 35°C are expected on Friday, and even 36°C during the weekend.
“Water supplies are safe,” the ministry and environment agency said in a statement, adding that authorities are calling on water companies to “continue precautionary planning to protect critical supplies in the event of a disaster.” dry autumn.
“We are calling on everyone to manage the amount of water they use in this exceptionally dry time,” said Environment Agency Executive Director Harvey Bradshaw.
“We are better prepared than ever for spells of warm weather, but we will continue to closely monitor the situation, including the impact on farmers and the environment, and take additional action if necessary,” the official said. Secretary of State for Water, Steve Double.
The UK had the driest July on record in some areas and the driest first half on record since 1976.
The situation is such that the source of the Thames is dry and the river that crosses London only begins to flow about eight kilometers further downstream, an unprecedented situation.
Vegetation fires are on the increase, and in London parks as in much of the country, the usual green of the lawns has given way to straw yellow and dusty ground.