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England 'Faces Widespread Drought in 2026 without Wet Winter'
The Environment Agency warns drought risk depends on winter rainfall levels, with 83% of average rain received so far and severe impacts possible without recharge.
- Next year, the Environment Agency cautioned England faces widespread drought unless the winter brings sustained rainfall, with severity depending on weather and actions taken.
- This year, England recorded just 83% of average rainfall after the driest spring in 132 years and hottest summer, leaving reservoirs low in Yorkshire and the Midlands.
- The agency modelled three winter scenarios and cautioned that at 80% winter rainfall most areas except Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, and Cumbria and Lancashire would be in drought, while at 60% all parts would be affected.
- With average winter recharge, public water supplies and the canal network in England could recover, but Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire may face prolonged dryness and poor amphibian breeding, the Environment Agency cautioned.
- The Environment Agency urged water companies to keep engaging customers and cutting leakage, advised farmers to adopt drought-tolerant crops and share water soon, while the Met Office said chances of a dry three-month period are higher than normal ahead of Saturday.
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Midlands faces drought matter of months as warning issued - Birmingham Live
Yorkshire and the Midlands remain in drought after 2025's dry spring and summer and a run of heatwaves, while swathes of the country are still in "exceptionally dry conditions" and the North West is currently recovering
·Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Evening Standard+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
England faces widespread drought in 2026 without wet winter – Environment Agency
The country’s drought situation remains ‘precarious’ despite recent rainfall, and could be facing a drier than normal three months to January.
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
L 33%
C 56%
11%
Factuality
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