England and Wales Enter Rapid Drought as July Rainfall Collapses

Half of England and all of Wales reached official drought status by early August 2026 — up from zero English drought zones on 17 July. England saw just 7% of normal July rain; the south, 1%. Around 23 million people now face hosepipe bans. It is the third drought in five years; the Met Office forecasts UK summers up to 60% drier by 2070.