UK Drought: South West, Midlands And Parts Of Yorkshire 'No Longer In Drought'

Droughts Over... For Some

South West England, the Midlands and parts of Yorkshire are no longer in drought following persistent and heavy rain in recent weeks, the Environment Agency said.

After the wettest April on record and heavy downpours across the country so far in May the agency was forced to review the areas currently declared in drought.

It said the weather had "significantly increased river and reservoir levels", reducing pressure on water supplies.

"These indicators have led the Environment Agency to remove the drought status for certain areas," it said in a statement - though it added that groundwater supplies remain low throughout the UK and several areas remain in drought.

"It is unlikely that water companies will now impose hosepipe bans in these areas over the summer," the EA went on.

"Parts of East Anglia and South East England remain in drought, with water company restrictions in place on public water use".

Dr Paul Leinster, Environment Agency Chief Executive, said: 'Water resources across England and Wales are kept constantly under review.

"The recent record rainfall has eased pressure on water resources in some parts of England, helping levels in rivers and reservoirs to recover and providing relief to farmers, gardeners and wildlife.

"The Environment Agency will continue to keep a close eye on the situation. Low groundwater levels remain a concern across many parts of England, with many still at a similar level to those in 1976 and unlikely to return to normal levels before the winter. A return to a long period of dry weather would increase the risk again."

The 19 areas that are no longer in drought are: South Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Parts of Gloucestershire, Parts of Hampshire, most of Wiltshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire.

Close

What's Hot