Midlands drought puts clouds on a final warning
A Midlands drought has been declared after months of dry weather and England’s third summer heatwave. The clouds have received a performance plan and been asked to demonstrate basic delivery.
The West and East Midlands now have drought status. Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, East Anglia and the Thames area face prolonged dry weather, so Britain has begun looking at reservoirs with the expression normally reserved for a printer that claims it has paper.
The National Drought Group brought together government, regulators, water companies, farmers, anglers and weather experts. The rain was invited but sent a thundery possibility and declined the meeting.
Every droplet needs measurable outcomes
“Using water wisely matters,” said Dr Crispin Moistly, Chief Examiner of Atmospheric Reliability. “We are asking the sky to submit a realistic timetable and stop treating drizzle as stakeholder engagement.”
Officials will monitor rivers, groundwater and reservoirs. A traffic light system will help explain the outlook. Green means water. Amber means a meeting about water. Red means another meeting with a more urgent font.
Thames Water planned a hosepipe ban from 22 July. The hosepipe has accepted the decision and is now considering a career in abstract sculpture.
Drought conditions will ease when sustained rainfall replenishes depleted sources. Until then, every thunderstorm must complete a wetness assessment and show that its droplets meet the agreed targets.
The forecast waits for committee clearance
Britain needs practical action and sustained rain. It has scheduled both, although only one is likely to ignore the calendar.
Read the real story: The Environment Agency update on drought conditions.
