75% OF UK IN DROUGHT – 45 million people in a drought area and 27 million living under restrictions on water use
Satellite images taken in 2025 and 2026 show the impact of dry weather across parts of England, as almost three-quarters of the country is now in drought.
The impact of the prolonged dry spell can be seen on well known British landmarks such as Stonehenge and Regent’s Park.
The British government made the announcement on Monday (August 10), highlighting the worsening impact of prolonged dry weather on agriculture, public water supplies and wildlife.
Most of the country, 71.3%, is now experiencing a flash drought caused by a combination of very low rainfall and higher temperatures. That has risen since late July, when almost half the country was declared to be in drought.
The latest update put 45 million people in a drought area and 27 million living under restrictions on water use.
England and Wales have provisionally recorded their driest July in 190 years. Southeast England received just 1% of its expected average rainfall.
