Pictures show scale of drought across England as rivers dry up

Pictures show scale of drought across England as rivers dry upImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A golfing green surrounded by dried grass in Dorset, just one of the areas declared to be in drought on WednesdayByMatthew TuckerPublished4 minutes agoDrought has been declared across more than half of England as hot, dry weather takes its toll on the country's water supplies.The announcement means there have been three droughts in the past five years - 2022, 2025 and now 2026.Photos from across the country have captured some of the dry conditions - including receding rivers, parched parks and sportspeople trying to play on.Image source, Anadolu via Getty ImagesThere is no single definition of drought, but it usually refers to a period of prolonged unusually dry weather that can have impacts on people, nature and the environment.A lack of rainfall has meant rivers have lowered, including the River Thames, exposing the riverbed in London.Image source, Anadolu via Getty ImagesThe river height marker was left completely dry at a ford on the River Redlake in Bucknell, Shropshire.Image source, Getty ImagesThe riverbed of the River Wye in Hereford was seen bare after weeks without rainfall.Image source, Getty ImagesSome areas of the country have now entered their fourth heatwave of the year.Beauty spots and parks have been left yellow and parched, including London's Greenwich Park, Primrose Hill, Hackney Marshes, Peckham Common and Leyton Flats.Image source, EPAImage source, EPAImage source, Getty ImagesThe announcement of a drought on Wednesday means there have been three droughts in the past five years – 2022, 2025 and now 2026.Image source, Getty ImagesImage source, Getty ImagesImage source, Getty ImagesWhile droughts happen naturally, scientists say that climate change is raising the risks, with higher summer temperatures drying out soils more quickly. This can lead to more severe and longer-lasting droughts.Image source, EPAThe sight of scorched brown leav...