Thunderstorm Warnings Issued Amidst Widespread Drought
Flash flooding expected in northern regions as over 70 per cent of UK remains in drought after five summer heatwaves.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
The Met Office has issued yellow thunderstorm warnings for northern England, Northern Ireland, and parts of Scotland.
Billinge Hill, Merseyside, recorded up to 23mm of rainfall in the 12 hours leading up to 6am on Wednesday. This marked the first significant precipitation in weeks after nearly two months of dry weather.
Despite these downpours, over 70 percent of the country remains in drought following five summer heatwaves. Forecasters and officials confirm these rains will not solve the drought overnight.
Environmental agencies have applied for a drought order for the River Severn, requesting a slowdown of releases from the Llyn Clywedog reservoir, where water levels stand at 48%. The Environment Agency is understood to be topping up the River Severn, a critical drinking water source for approximately six million people.
Environment Agency indicated that The agency also rescues fish daily from dried-up watercourses, including the River Teme and the River Onny in Shropshire. If granted, this order would reportedly require Severn Trent Water, South Staffordshire Water, Bristol Water, and Hafren Dyfrdwy to reduce their abstraction from the river by 5%.
These companies claim the reduction will not affect water supplies. The Environment Agency also claims the abstraction cap on the Canal and River Trust for the Gloucester and Sharpness canal would be manageable.
Water companies with no hosepipe bans in place have confirmed no impact on public water supplies. The agency has stated that North Wales and the Upper Severn river basin entered drought conditions last week, leading to a "flash drought."
England and Wales experienced the driest July on record, with temperatures peaking at 38.1C in London during recent heatwaves. Wisley, in Surrey, broke its 62-day dry streak with 1.6mm of rain.
Currently, 27 million people are understood to be under water use restrictions. Forecasters claim heavy downpours, hail, and thunderstorms could cause flash flooding, power cuts, and transport disruption.
Met Office indicated that The Met Office adds that businesses and homes could flood, and transport services could face delays.
The Environment Agency has issued no alerts or warnings for flooding, even as the Met Office predicted some areas would receive the “first meaningful rain for a long time” this week.
Thursday is expected to bring another day of sunshine and showers. The focus for the heaviest showers will transfer south to England and Wales, with thunder possible.