Drought Officially Declared in North West England

The UK government has officially declared a state of drought in North West England following an unusually dry spring, marking the region’s driest start to the season in decades.

The prolonged lack of rainfall has led to a sharp decline in river and reservoir water levels, raising concerns about long-term water security.

According to the UK Met Office, March, April, and May brought exceptionally sunny conditions across the country, making it one of the sunniest springs on record. However, the significantly reduced rainfall has triggered warnings about the sustainability of water supplies in the coming months.

The Environment Agency reported that water storage levels in reservoirs across North West England, which includes the Lake District as well as the cities of Manchester and Liverpool, are now lower than during previous drought years—specifically 1984, 1995, and 2022.

Scientists have linked the increasing frequency and severity of droughts to climate change, warning that drier summers and reduced rainfall events are becoming more common across the UK.

Environmental experts are urging policymakers to prioritize sustainable water management and invest in infrastructure to prepare for a future shaped by more extreme weather patterns.