Drought is declared in parts of hot and dry Britain

LONDON – The British government declared drought in parts of southern, eastern and central England on Friday as the country endured another day of hot conditions and dry with temperatures expected to reach near 95 degrees Fahrenheit, or 35 degrees Celsius.
The drought announcement will allow water companies to impose measures conservation measures and comes after the driest July in England since 1935. Several water companies have temporarily banned the use of hoses to water yards and gardens and to wash vehicles.
"Water companies are already dealing with the effects of the driest winter and spring that have not been seen since the 1970s, and with more hot and dry weather forecasts, it is crucial that we let's pay more attention to our water consumption to minimize peaks in demand and ensure there is enough for everyone,” Peter Jenkins, communications director at industry body Water UK, said in a statement.
The Met Office, Britain's national weather service, has issued an extreme heat warning until Sunday for much of the southern half of England and for parts of Wales, highlighting that soaring temperatures could not only disrupt travel but also increase the risk of heat-related illnesses for some groups.
Wiggonholt in southern England recorded the highest temperature in the country on Thursday at 93.5 Fahrenheit (34.2 Celsius). On Friday, we expected a dry start with a rapid rise in mercury. Temperatures could climb even higher over the weekend, meteorologists said, but they also predicted they wouldn't be as extreme as in July, when they first hit over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in Britain.
< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Thursday urged residents to avoid grilling on balconies, in parks and in backyards for fear of fires. London firefighters said there were hundreds of fires in the capital in the first week of August, up from 42 in the same period of 2021.
Several retail chains have stopped selling disposable grills during the drought period, The Guardian reported.
ImageFighting a fire in Rainham, England on Thursday. The Met Office, Britain's national weather service, has issued an extreme heat warning until Sunday for parts of the country.Credit...Tony O'Brien/Reuters

World Aug 12, 2022 0 72 Add to Reading List

Drought is declared in parts of hot and dry Britain

LONDON – The British government declared drought in parts of southern, eastern and central England on Friday as the country endured another day of hot conditions and dry with temperatures expected to reach near 95 degrees Fahrenheit, or 35 degrees Celsius.

The drought announcement will allow water companies to impose measures conservation measures and comes after the driest July in England since 1935. Several water companies have temporarily banned the use of hoses to water yards and gardens and to wash vehicles.

"Water companies are already dealing with the effects of the driest winter and spring that have not been seen since the 1970s, and with more hot and dry weather forecasts, it is crucial that we let's pay more attention to our water consumption to minimize peaks in demand and ensure there is enough for everyone,” Peter Jenkins, communications director at industry body Water UK, said in a statement.

The Met Office, Britain's national weather service, has issued an extreme heat warning until Sunday for much of the southern half of England and for parts of Wales, highlighting that soaring temperatures could not only disrupt travel but also increase the risk of heat-related illnesses for some groups.

Wiggonholt in southern England recorded the highest temperature in the country on Thursday at 93.5 Fahrenheit (34.2 Celsius). On Friday, we expected a dry start with a rapid rise in mercury. Temperatures could climb even higher over the weekend, meteorologists said, but they also predicted they wouldn't be as extreme as in July, when they first hit over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in Britain.

< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Thursday urged residents to avoid grilling on balconies, in parks and in backyards for fear of fires. London firefighters said there were hundreds of fires in the capital in the first week of August, up from 42 in the same period of 2021.

Several retail chains have stopped selling disposable grills during the drought period, The Guardian reported.

ImageFighting a fire in Rainham, England on Thursday. The Met Office, Britain's national weather service, has issued an extreme heat warning until Sunday for parts of the country.Credit...Tony O'Brien/Reuters