‘Severe drought recovery likely to take many months’: expert

‘Severe’ drought has been declared across parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex following record low rainfall. 

The declaration was made by the Environment Agency, which followed a review of water resources and drought conditions across England by the National Drought Group.

Professor Hannah Cloke, Regius Professor in Meteorology and Climate at the University of Reading, a hydrologist and natural hazard researcher; and Professor Deepa Senapathi, professor of applied ecology and head of the Department of Sustainable Land Management, University of Reading, provide expert comment. 

For interviews, contact the University of Reading Press Office on 0118 378 5757 or pressoffice@reading.ac.uk

Regius Professor Hannah Cloke said:

“Severe drought reflects the scale of pressure on the UK's water resources after months of exceptionally dry weather and record summer heat. Reservoirs in some areas are now at levels we would normally expect to see only during severe droughts. Recovery is likely to take many months rather than weeks, even if wetter conditions arrive.

“Depleted reservoirs and low river levels leave far less room for manoeuvre if dry conditions persist. If supplies in some areas become exhausted, the impacts could impact households, farming, businesses, critical infrastructure and the natural environment. This is a reminder that water security underpins almost every aspect of daily life and that the UK must continue investing in more resilient water systems as droughts become more severe and more frequent."

“Prolonged drought conditions could have devastating consequences for UK wildlife, from wild bees and other beneficial insects losing vital food and nesting resources, to the disruption of entire food webs as rivers, wetlands and soils dry out.