The Environment Agency has officially moved half of England into drought status following a period of extreme weather. The declaration comes after July was recorded as one of the driest months in history, a sharp reversal from the winter months which saw significant flooding. According to the National Drought Group, the rapid onset of what is being termed a “flash drought” is the result of sustained high temperatures and a lack of rainfall.

The areas now officially classified as being in drought include East Anglia, Hertfordshire, London, the Thames Valley, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Devon, Cornwall, the West Midlands, and Wessex. Helen Wakeham, the director of water at the Environment Agency, characterized the current conditions as an “exceptionally serious situation.”

While both reports agree on the geographic scope and the severity of the declaration, they differ slightly in their framing of the event's context. The Guardian provides specific details regarding the transition from winter floods to summer drought, emphasizing the speed of the environmental change. The Independent focuses more on the immediate public utility of the announcement, encouraging readers to check if their specific local area is affected by the new restrictions or status changes. There is currently no disagreement between the sources regarding the facts of the declaration or the regions affected, though both outlets emphasize the environmental gravity of the situation.