--- title: "71.3% of England declared in drought as fifth heatwave approaches" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/climate/713-of-england-declared-in-drought-as-fifth-heatwave-approaches" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/713-of-england-declared-in-drought-as-fifth-heatwave-approaches" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/climate/713-of-england-declared-in-drought-as-fifth-heatwave-approaches.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/713-of-england-declared-in-drought-as-fifth-heatwave-approaches" category: "Climate" area: "United Kingdom" published: "2026-08-10T17:06:01.198Z" source_reported: "2026-08-10T16:41:55.387Z" updated: "2026-08-10T17:06:01.198Z" trust_score: 74 critic_score: 100 hype_score: 15 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-10T16:50:43.122314+00:00" --- # 71.3% of England declared in drought as fifth heatwave approaches *Four new regions move into drought status ahead of temperatures reaching 36°C later this week* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 74 of 100, higher is better. Trust 74: EA statements and figures cited, with specific percentages and dates. - Craft 100 of 100, higher is better. Critic 100: explains impacts, gives specific data, outlines next steps, clear narrative. - Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Hype 15: measured language, no clickbait. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - The Environment Agency declared 71.3% of England in drought after adding four new regions, including the East Midlands and Kent. - Temperatures are forecast to reach 36°C later this week, marking the fifth heatwave of the summer. - England recorded its driest July since 1836, with some areas receiving no rainfall at all. - Over 2,800 deaths have been linked to record-breaking heatwaves in May and June. The Environment Agency announced that 71.3% of England is now in drought after four additional regions were moved into drought status. The areas added are the East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs. The decision followed a meeting of the National Drought Group, which includes officials, water companies, and farming leaders. The announcement comes as the UK prepares for its fifth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures expected to peak at 36°C on Thursday. The Met Office forecast mid-30s temperatures across England and Wales from Wednesday, with the highest readings likely in the Midlands and areas west of London. Health officials have issued amber heat health alerts for most of England, warning of risks to vulnerable populations. England experienced its driest July since records began in 1836, with some regions receiving no rainfall. Two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June contributed to over 2,800 deaths, according to verified figures. Wildfires have also increased, with over 120 firefighters tackling a blaze in the New Forest that has affected a square kilometre of heathland and closed the A31. ## What the coverage left out No left-rated outlet ran this story. None of the right-rated digests mentioned the 2,800 deaths linked to heatwaves in May and June, a figure included in both centre-rated reports and LBC’s full report. The centre-rated reports also carried the Environment Agency’s statement that 245 wildfires have been reported on protected sites this year, a detail absent from all right-rated digests. ## Who covered it Shares of the 6 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 0% (0) - Centre: 33% (2) - Right: 67% (4) 0 of 6 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-10T16:50:43.122314+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-10T17:15:53.412Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left No separate framing summary. ### Centre - The two centre-rated reports, published by the Evening Standard and Market Screener, led on the expansion of drought status to 71.3% of England. Both included the Environment Agency’s warning that all regions are under pressure, with impacts on agriculture, public water supplies, and the environment. The Evening Standard quoted water minister Emma Hardy, who said the government was working to support farmers and reduce water leaks. - The Evening Standard’s report detailed the progression of drought conditions, noting that the North East and Yorkshire had moved to “prolonged dry weather” status, the stage before drought. It also highlighted the strain on rivers and reservoirs, with only 14% of rivers at normal levels and reservoir levels at 69%, below the seasonal average. The report included a statement from Tony Grayling, strategic drought lead at the Environment Agency, who said, “Drought conditions are worsening and will continue to do so until we see significant and sustained rainfall.” ### Right - The four right-rated digests, from GB News, The Sun, and the Daily Express, and the full report from LBC, all led on the 71.3% figure and the addition of four new regions to drought status. LBC’s report included the Environment Agency’s warning that water resources are under pressure nationwide, with impacts on agriculture and public supplies. It also noted that 25 million people are under water restrictions, including hosepipe bans for all South East Water and Thames Water customers. - LBC’s report quoted Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan, who said, “We’ll probably see highs reaching the mid-30s quite widely on Wednesday, and indeed on Thursday too for England and Wales.” The report also mentioned the closure of Chessington World of Adventures due to a water outage caused by a burst main. The Sun’s digest highlighted the 36°C forecast, while the Daily Express focused on the impact on farming, describing a “scorching start to August” and a “real toll” on agriculture. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 3 - high: 3 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [LBC](https://lbc.co.uk/article/nearly-three-quarters-of-england-now-in-drought-as-36c-heatwave-looms-5HjdfrF_2) — Nearly three-quarters of England now in drought as 36C heatwave looms - [GB News](https://gbnews.com/weather/uk-weather-britain-drought-heatwave) — UK weather: Nearly three-quarters of Britain officially in drought amid record conditions - [The Sun](https://thesun.co.uk/news/40019512/england-drought-declared-ahead-of-temperatures) — Over 70% of England declares drought ahead of 36C temps - check 4 new regions - [Market Screener](https://marketscreener.com/news/almost-three-quarters-of-england-now-in-drought-uk-government-says-ce7859dadb8ff126) — Almost three-quarters of England now in drought, UK government says - [Evening Standard](https://standard.co.uk/news/environment/emma-hardy-north-east-south-downs-northamptonshire-yorkshire-b1292954.html) — Almost three-quarters of England in drought as conditions worsen in dry August - [Daily Express](https://express.co.uk/news/politics/2237822/england-drought-three-quarters) — UK drought latest as huge chunks of England swelter in latest heatwave ## Questions **How much of England is now in drought?** The Environment Agency confirmed that 71.3% of England is in drought after four new regions were added. This follows the driest July on record since 1836 and ongoing heatwaves, which have worsened water shortages across the country. **What are the expected temperatures this week?** Temperatures are forecast to reach 36°C on Thursday, marking the fifth heatwave of the summer. The Met Office expects mid-30s temperatures across England and Wales from Wednesday, with the highest readings likely in the Midlands. **How many deaths have been linked to this summer’s heatwaves?** Over 2,800 deaths have been attributed to record-breaking heatwaves in May and June. The figure was reported by the Environment Agency and included in centre-rated outlets and LBC’s coverage. **Which areas were added to drought status?** The East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs were moved into drought status. The announcement followed a meeting of the National Drought Group, which warned of widespread pressure on water resources. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/climate/713-of-england-declared-in-drought-as-fifth-heatwave-approaches. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "71.3% of England declared in drought as fifth heatwave approaches", https://mediabias.news/climate/713-of-england-declared-in-drought-as-fifth-heatwave-approaches