London will be sweating this weekend as temperatures of up to 36C hit the region this weekend and now an official drought has been declared for the region.

The National Drought Group, which is part of the Government and agency officials and water companies, all met on Friday (August 12) to discuss the dry weather that has seen the UK be hotter than the Caribbean over the week. 

Following the meeting, the group declared that large regions of England would be placed under drought measures. 

It covers South West, areas of southern and central England and the east of England. 

The Environment Agency has said that businesses and households should be "very mindful of the pressures on water resources”.

Adding that water companies should reduce leakage and fix leaking pipes as soon as possible. 

Hosepipe bans come into force amid hot and dry conditions in the UK

Water Minister Steve Double said: “We are currently experiencing a second heatwave after what was the driest July on record for parts of the country. Action is already being taken by the Government and other partners including the Environment Agency to manage the impacts.

“All water companies have reassured us that essential supplies are still safe, and we have made it clear it is their duty to maintain those supplies.

“We are better prepared than ever before for periods of dry weather, but we will continue to closely monitor the situation, including impacts on farmers and the environment, and take further action as needed.”

Environment Agency drought areas

The Environment Agency has moved into drought in eight of its 14 areas:

  • Devon and Cornwall
  • Solent and South Downs
  • Kent and south London
  • Herts and north London
  • East Anglia
  • Thames
  • Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire
  • The East Midlands.