Drought Spreads in England After Driest Start to Year Since 1976

Low water levels at Baitings Reservoir in Ripponden, UK, on July 10.Photographer: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

More parts of the UK entered drought conditions, after England had its driest start to the year since 1976 and heat waves boosted water demand.

The West and East Midlands moved into a drought, joining Yorkshire and northwest England, the Environment Agency said on Tuesday. That followed two heat waves last month that helped to make its England’s hottest June on record.