Drought declared after driest six months in decades

A pebbled bank of the River Usk creates an arm stretching into the middle of the river. Algae can be seen on the river surface closest to the camera. Yellowed grass and vegetation can be seen on each side of the river bank, with trees in the background. Natural Resources Wales

Algae is seen on the River Usk last month

Anna Lewis
BBC News

A drought has been declared in parts of Wales after the driest six months recorded in almost 40 years.

Environmental watchdog Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said action had been taken after the driest period since the drought of 1976, with high temperatures combining with a lack of rainfall.

Affected areas include Vale of Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taf and those served by the River Wye and Usk.

People and businesses are being urged to use water wisely this summer to help ease pressure on the environment and water supplies.

NRW said it had received reports of low water levels and dry riverbeds in some locations, as well as reports of fish in distress and algal blooms.

It described the majority of river flows across Wales as "low or exceptionally low, as are groundwater levels".

"Catchments in south east Wales have been particularly impacted, with rivers receiving very little rainfall in recent months, and the Usk and Wye recording persistently high river temperatures which can threaten fish populations," said Rhian Thomas from NRW.

The body added drought can affect farmers who may need to find alternative water supplies and extra food for livestock due to reduced grass growth.

The rest of Wales will remain in "prolonged dry weather status", but NRW said it would continue to monitor river flows, groundwater levels and its effect on the environment, land and agriculture.

The drought status has been declared based on environmental factors, rather than reservoir levels monitored by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water.

Welsh Water said it had no concerns about reservoir levels, with most close to what it "would expect at this time of year".

A spokesperson added it was managing extra demand caused by the dry weather, but had no plans to introduce any temporary restrictions.

A map of Wales. The majority of the country is coloured yellow, signalling it is under a 'prolonged dry weather' status, apart from the south east of Wales. The south east, including parts of Powys, Monmouthshire, Cardiff and Rhondda Cynon Taf are coloured orange, which signals drought status. Natural Resources Wales

Natural Resources Wales has shared a map of the areas affected by the drought status

Natural Resources Wales said the areas covered by the drought status include:

  • Wye (Wales)

  • Usk

  • Valleys (Taff, Ebbw, Rhymney, Ely, Llwyd & Rhondda)

  • Vale of Glamorgan (Thaw & Cadoxton)

From February to July, Wales has seen the 16th driest six months in 190 years.

Ms Thomas said: "After such an exceptionally dry start to the year, it is going to take considerable time for rivers, ground waters and soils to recover – even if we start to see some rain in the forecast."

While linking climate change with specific individual extreme weather events can be difficult, scientists say that climate change is generally making heatwaves hotter, longer and more frequent.

Sir David King, chair of the Global Climate Crisis Advisory Group, and a former chief scientific adviser to the government, previously told the BBC that drought conditions were "a clear signal that climate collapse is unravelling our water, food and natural systems".

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