Latest news with #water shortfall
BBC News
12-08-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
UK braces for 34C temperatures as heat health alerts to take effect in England
Update: Date: 07:14 BST Title: 'Nationally significant incident' over water shortfall Content: Mark PoyntingClimate reporter The Environment Agency says that the current shortfall of water across England now qualifies as a 'nationally significant incident'. The term reflects the impacts on the environment, such as river and reservoir levels. It is also based on the number of areas impacted, with most of the country in a state of drought or prolonged dry weather – the category below drought. It follows England's driest spring – March, April and May – for more than 100 years, according to the Met Office. July rainfall was close to average, albeit with some variability across the country. That has helped to ensure no new regions have entered a status of drought since the Midlands on 15 July. Update: Date: 07:03 BST Title: Watch: Flames near Madrid as wildfires burn across Spain and Portugal Content: This video can not be played Emergency crews have been battling multiple wildfires across Spain and Portugal, as a heatwave hits Europe. Firefighters worked through the night on Monday in an effort to contain a blaze burning in the municipality of Tres Cantos, located 23km north of Madrid. Update: Date: 06:48 BST Title: Southern Europe in grip of heatwave with wildfires flaring across the continent Content: Nearly 700 firefighters have been tackling wildfires in Portugal since the weekend The UK isn't alone in sizzling under a heatwave this week - parts of southern Europe are sweltering too as temperatures pass into the 40Cs. In Italy, a young boy died of heatstroke on Monday, after being found unconscious in his family's car in Sardinia. And across the country, 11 cities have been given a "level three" risk warning for today by the Italian health ministry. This means that in major cities like Bologna and Milan, "emergency conditions" are in place and residents are warned to avoid exposure to the sun between 11:00 and 18:00 - the hottest parts of the day. Meanwhile in northern Spain, firefighters have been grappling with a fire near a Unesco-listed national park, with high temperatures and strong winds forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate. Over the weekend, Trancoso in Portugal has also seen a huge blaze, with more than 650 firefighters and six aircraft tackling wildfires, according to AFP news agency. Update: Date: 06:34 BST Title: Significant rise in the number of very hot days Content: Mark PoyntingClimate reporter It can be easy to forget just how quickly the UK's climate is changing. Days exceeding 30C – known as 'very hot' days by the Met Office - might feel normal, but they used to be much rarer. During the last decade, the number of these 'very hot' days more than trebled compared with the 1961-1990 average, according to the Met Office, external. It's well established that human-caused climate change is making hot weather more likely and more intense. As humans burn coal, oil and gas and cut down forests, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere. These gases act like a blanket, heating up the planet. Update: Date: 06:29 BST Title: What the heat alerts mean and how long are they in place for? Content: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat health warnings for all of England, which start from 09:00 BST today and are due to end at 18:00 on Wednesday. Amber alerts for some: Alerts in the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London and the South East have been upgraded to amber, from 09:00 BST today to 18:00 on Wednesday. Yellow alerts for the rest: The South West, Yorkshire and the Humber, North West and North East have yellow warnings in place over the same period. The UKHSA has warned of significant impacts across health and social care services due to the high temperatures. It also warns of the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among the over-65s and those with health conditions. Update: Date: 06:24 BST Title: Highs of 34C predicted as the UK enters another hot period Content: Health alerts have been issued across large areas of England, as the UK braces for another sizzling week. Highs of up to 34C are forecast for some parts, with most of the country due for temperatures of between 24 and 30C. A patchwork of yellow and amber alerts has been issued, meaning possible travel disruption and increased demand on health services - but more on this shortly. We will be keeping tabs on the latest temperatures and alerts across the day. Keep cool and stay with us.
The Guardian
12-08-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
Experts discuss plans to save water as dry conditions worsen across England
A nationally significant water shortfall is gripping England, the government has warned, as experts say the conditions could last until mid-autumn. The National Drought Group met to discuss actions to save water across the country, and Steve Reed, the environment secretary, briefed the chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, about the risks posed by the dry weather. Water companies are preparing to take more drastic measures to conserve water as supplies dwindle. Southern Water, some of whose customers are already under a hosepipe ban, has applied for a non-essential use ban that would prohibit businesses from taking actions such as filling swimming pools or cleaning their windows. The company has also applied for an emergency order to take water from a rare chalk stream after it drops below its ecologically safe water flow. The drought is hitting many sectors across the country, with many canals shut to navigation due to low water levels, farmers struggling to grow crops and feed livestock, and higher numbers of fish die-offs being reported by anglers and others who use England's rivers. Two rivers, the Wye and the Great Ouse at Ely, were at their lowest on record for July, and only 89% of long-term average rainfall was recorded for the month across England. This is the sixth consecutive month of below-average rainfall. Five areas of England are in drought: Yorkshire; Cumbria and Lancashire; Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire; East Midlands; and West Midlands. Dry conditions could last well into October, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology has warned, which would put higher pressure on water supplies as rivers, reservoirs and aquifers are at very low points after a very dry spring and summer. Its latest hydrological outlook says: 'Normal to below normal groundwater levels are likely to persist through both August and the August-October period.' It added the situation would continue for 'low river flows across central and southern England'. More parts of the country could be at risk of being plunged into drought conditions as aquifers are depleted. These are underground stores of water which take a long time, and a lot of sustained rainfall, to recharge. These were full after a very wet winter in 2024 and the start of 2025, but the dry conditions have caused them to become depleted. At the moment, it is mainly areas reliant on reservoirs and chalk streams that are facing drought and hosepipe bans, as areas such as London have been able to use the resources from the chalk aquifer. The hydrological forecast warns: 'The outlook for August is for normal to below normal levels, with notably to exceptionally low levels for the southern chalk and carboniferous limestones in central southern England, south Wales and the South Downs. Over August-October, normal to below normal levels are the most likely outcome.' The National Drought Group – which includes the Met Office, the government, regulators, water companies, the National Farmers' Union, the Canal & River Trust, anglers, and conservation experts – used the meeting to highlight the water-saving measures each sector is taking. Dr Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'This week is starting off warmer than of late across England and Wales, with temperatures getting towards the mid-30s celsius for some in the south. 'As we move into the second half of August there are indications of high pressure building and therefore largely settled conditions overall. Although dry weather is more likely, rain, showers or thunderstorms cannot be ruled out.' The Environment Agency's director of water and the National Drought Group chair, Helen Wakeham, said: 'The current situation is nationally significant, and we are calling on everyone to play their part and help reduce the pressure on our water environment. 'Water companies must continue to quickly fix leaks and lead the way in saving water. 'We know the challenges farmers are facing and will continue to work with them, other land users and businesses to ensure everyone acts sustainably.'
