Most of England Is in Drought — Here's What That Means for Food and Water
Almost three-quarters of England's land — 71.3% — is in drought as of mid-August 2026. This comes after the driest July across England and Wales since rainfall records began in 1836. Large parts of both countries got barely a tenth of the rain they normally expect in August, making a crisis worse that has already seen five heatwaves this summer Al Jazeera.
A drought is when an area gets far less rain than usual for a long period, causing water shortages for people, farming, and nature. The UK government first declared drought across half of England on 29 July, calling it "an exceptionally serious situation" with "long-lasting impacts" on the environment gov.uk. On 10 August, after confirming that July had broken a 190-year rainfall record, more areas were added. Britain's Environment Agency has now declared seven areas of England to be in drought Reuters. By the most recent count, the National Drought Group reported that 71.3% of England was affected, and the National Farmers' Union warned that August rainfall was likely to stay below average BBC.
Helen Wakeham, who chairs the National Drought Group, called the situation "an exceptionally serious situation" with "long-lasting impacts" Al Jazeera. This is the third drought in five years and the second summer drought in a row. That pattern is putting pressure on water supplies, farming, and the government agencies that manage them all at once.
The effects on farming are happening fast. Reuters reported in early August that Britain was heading for its worst cereal harvest in four decades Reuters. Cereals are crops like wheat, barley, and oats that are grown for food and animal feed. Farmers have described conditions as "horrendous" and warned of possible food shortages CBC. By late July, more than half of the UK's winter wheat crop had already been harvested early because the growing season was so difficult Al Jazeera.
Jamie Burrows, a leader at the National Farmers' Union, said the farming industry urgently needs government help to develop crop varieties that can survive drought and disease. He also said farmers need a planning system that makes it easier to build water storage on their land Al Jazeera. The NFU separately reported that drought declarations now covered 71% of England and warned that August was likely to remain dry NFU.
The broader context here is that climate change is putting growing stress on UK farming and water systems. The Environment Agency's own manual acknowledges that climate change has led to more extreme weather, including floods, extreme wind, and droughts Environment Agency. Three droughts in five years fits that pattern. Because this is the second summer drought in a row, reservoirs, soil, and underground water stores have not had a winter to recover. Think of it like a savings account that keeps getting withdrawn from without any deposits — the deficit grows each time.
The government response seems to be moving on two tracks. The Environment Agency raised its fees by 3.8% on 1 April, in line with inflation Environment Agency. As of April, the Agency said new flood defences were operational and could help prevent around £10 billion in damage during wet months Environment Agency. River basin planning groups have engaged 7,742 farmers in water management discussions Environment Agency. These steps address the flooding side of extreme weather. The drought side needs different solutions, and the NFU's requests — drought-resistant crops and easier rules for building water storage — have not yet been met with matching government policy.
The history of wheat farming adds a useful angle. Einkorn and emmer, among the first wheat species humans domesticated about 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent, are mentioned in current drought coverage as part of the long history that modern crop breeding comes from Al Jazeera. That connection is practical, not just historical. The ancient genetic variety in these early crops is exactly the kind of material that plant breeders use to develop strains that can tolerate drought. Burrows's call for drought-resistant varieties points to a UK crop-breeding system that has traditionally focused on getting the highest yields in mild, wet conditions — assumptions that back-to-back summer droughts are now challenging.
For the months ahead, the key questions are how much rain falls in August and September, how fast reservoirs refill before winter, and whether the government acts on the NFU's requests before the next growing season. With 71.3% of England already in drought and forecasts pointing to continued below-average rainfall, the chance for a real recovery before winter is shrinking. The cereal harvest — possibly the worst in forty years — will affect food and animal feed supplies in ways that last well beyond this growing season.
