Britain on verge of worst drought since 1976 with strict hosepipe bans likely as weather hots up again

BRITAIN is on the verge of its worst drought since 1976 after parts of the country received just three per cent of their expected rainfall.

An emergency summit will be held today by the National Drought Group in a bid to address the looming crisis, which has seen some areas get just 1.6mm of rain in July.

It could be declared within days and is likely to be followed by strict hosepipe bans across the country — amid warnings the UK could see more record 40C temperatures within weeks.

Under strict new rules, people are likely to be banned from using hosepipes for activities such as watering gardens, washing cars and filling paddling pools.

Those who flout the ban will face fines of up to £1,000.

The drought warning comes as:

• THE Met Office warned of further “hot spells” lasting long into August.
• FORECASTERS said they could not rule out another record-breaker above 40C (104F) in the next two weeks.
• RESERVOIR and river levels are now so dangerously low experts are “rescuing” hundreds of salmon, trout and crayfish.
• FIGURES show the UK has seen just 55mm of rain so far this summer — less than half the average rainfall expected.
• THE South East has been worst hit in July with rainfall totals in Kent 1.9mm (four per cent of July average), and Essex 1.3mm (three per cent).
• FARMERS warned they were running out of time to save crops amid fears they will be ordered to stop watering.

Yesterday, one government source warned: “In terms of climate and rainfall, you can definitely compare this to 1976.

“We’ve seen below-average rainfall during winter and spring. It’s been remarkably dry and very hot during the first half of the summer.

“Most of England has already been moved to Prolonged Dry Weather status. and if it continues to be dry and hot, we may be in a drought in August.

“The fact that the National Drought Group has brought forward its meeting shows how significant this moment is. The pressure is intensifying.”

The summer of 1976 was one of the most extreme on record as temperatures stayed above 32C (90F) for 15 consecutive days.

A hastily drafted Drought Bill saw the nation share standpipes in the street amid pleas to “save water, bath with a friend”.

Wildfires broke out and crops failed — causing food prices to rise by 12 per cent.

That summer saw just 76mm of rainfall in June, July and August.

So far this summer, the UK has had just 55mm of rain — less than half the average expected.

Southern Water has already applied for a drought permit after levels on the River Test in Southampton plummeted. The order is likely to be granted within days — while hosepipe bans will prevent levels falling any further.

Water UK said: “Water companies have plans in place to manage resources and safeguard the environment and are doing everything they can, including working closely with government and regulators, to minimise the need for any restrictions.”

Crops are at risk so the cost of living crisis is likely to deepen — with prices set to soar in the same way they did in 1976.

Droughts have already been announced across Europe.

Previous droughts were declared here in 1996, 2012 and 2018, but they were restricted to smaller regions of the UK.

The Consumer Council for Water has called on the public to minimise non-essential use.

The Lib Dems’ environment spokesman Tim Farron fumed: “Britain is facing the worst drought since 1976 and ministers are nowhere to be found.

“The Government should haul water companies into Downing Street and demand they fix all leaking pipes as soon as possible. There isn’t a second to waste.”