England declares severe drought for the first time

Severe drought, the highest category, now covers parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex. The category was created after the 2012 drought and has never been used before.

What severe drought brings

• Closer watch on reservoir levels
• Closer watch on river flows
• Water quality monitoring
• Extra checks on businesses drawing water

Under a severe drought, authorities step up monitoring of reservoirs, rivers and water quality, and check businesses that draw water from natural sources.

A warmer atmosphere is thirstier for moisture and this can mean water in the soil, rivers and reservoirs are depleted more effectively, leading to more rapidly onsetting droughts, heatwaves and wildfires.

— Richard Allan, climate scientist, University of Reading

New reservoirs planned for England by 2050

9 reservoirs

The government and water companies plan nine new reservoirs for England by 2050, besides one under construction in Hampshire. The Environment Agency has warned that limits on demand, possibly including hosepipe bans, may be needed.