Britain said on Thursday the northwest of England was now officially in drought status after the driest start to spring in decades caused water levels in rivers and reservoirs to decline.
Through March, April and May, Britain has basked in its sunniest spring on record, according to the Met Office weather forecaster, though the lack of rainfall has raised some concerns about conserving water supply.
The Environment Agency (EA) said reservoir storage levels in northwest England – home to the picturesque Lake District as well as the cities of Manchester and Liverpool – were lower than during the same time in the 1984, 1995 and 2022 drought years.
Scientists say climate change is making droughts and drier summers more frequent.
The EA said it would ensure that water companies, including major northwest supplier United Utilities UU.L, are ready to support customers to reduce demand if needed.
“I’m doing everything in my power to hold United Utilities to account to ensure we have the regular supply of water that is needed across the region,” Water Minister Emma Hardy said in a statement.
The agency said ministers would convene a meeting of the National Drought Group next Thursday to assess the situation across the country.
-Reuters