Staff Reporter
Britain’s drought is showing few signs of ending soon, despite rain returning to parts of the country this week. Almost three-quarters of England has been declared to be in drought after an exceptionally dry summer. England experienced its driest July since records began, receiving only around 10% of its usual rainfall. Forecasters say the arrival of heavy rain will provide some short-term relief, but it is unlikely to end the drought immediately. Reservoirs, rivers and groundwater supplies need sustained rainfall over a much longer period to recover. Some reservoirs in England and Wales are already described as exceptionally low.
Experts warn that a few days of intense rain are not enough. Parched and compacted ground can struggle to absorb sudden downpours, meaning heavy rainfall can cause flooding while doing relatively little to restore underground water supplies. Weeks or even months of steady rain would be more effective. The outlook is particularly concerning for southern and eastern England. A three-month water-resources outlook has indicated an increased likelihood of dry conditions through August to October, while warmer than average temperatures could increase evaporation and reduce the benefits of rainfall. Water restrictions are therefore expected to remain in place in affected areas for some time. The Environment Agency says drought is continuing to put pressure on public water supplies, agriculture, rivers and wildlife.
So when will it end? There is currently no firm date. The drought could begin easing if Britain experiences a sustained period of wet weather, but a complete recovery of reservoirs and groundwater is likely to take considerably longer than the return of rain itself.
For now, forecasters are urging the public not to mistake a few wet days for the end of the drought. Britain needs persistent, widespread rainfall not just a sudden downpour to bring the crisis to an end.
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