England’s drought is deepening, with reservoirs sitting nearly 20 percent below their seasonal average and drought incidents already exceeding last year’s total.

The Environment Agency recorded 349 confirmed drought and dry-weather incidents between January and mid-September, more than the 321 recorded in all of 2025. In the week ending September 15, reservoir storage stood at 56.1 percent, with six reservoirs classified as exceptionally low.

The drought follows the United Kingdom’s hottest summer on record. The Met Office said the June to August mean temperature of 16.5 degrees Celsius was made about 130 times more likely by human-driven climate change.

Natural England warns that wildlife damage will unfold over years, with 76 incidents involving dead fish and 167 linked to low river flows. Dry peat has also raised the risk of underground fires.

Water demand rose by as much as 30 percent on the hottest days. Without sustained rainfall, officials say the drought will carry into autumn.