A drought has been officially declared in parts of the UK as rising temperatures and minimal rainfall have led to increasingly dry conditions.
Affected areas of the country are largely based in south, central and eastern England.
The announcement, made by the National Drought Group of Environmental Agency (EA), will see restrictions being implemented on the commercial use of water in the affected areas.
“An increased chance of warm conditions through August to October is consistent with an increased westerly flow from warmer than average seas, and our warming climate,” the Guardian newspaper quoted the EA as saying.
“With a typical north-west (wetter) to south-east (drier) gradation in rainfall most likely, there are no strong signals for a significant amelioration of current dry conditions,” it added.
The announcement was made after the UK experienced its second heat wave in August following a record-breaking first in July. The August heat wave, however, is expected to last longer with prolonged dry weather and minimal rainfall.
