Back to ’76 as UK faces months of drought

The droughts are a result of just over 40 per cent average rainfall in February and March and the driest year on record in 2011, a second winter of below-average rainfall, Channel 4 News Weather Presenter Liam Dutton explains.

Rain analysis
Taking England alone, rainfall during the past two winters has been just 82 per cent of average. However, this is only part of the story as there has been a huge variation in rainfall across different parts of England. When looking specifically at central, southern and eastern areas, there has only been around three-quarters of average rainfall in winter 2011/12. Read more: Rain is falling but the drought area expands. Why? 

The shortages are reminscent of the great drought of 1976, when residents were encouraged to share baths and water was rationed. The 1976 summer droughts were the worst for a century. East Anglia’s top soil turned to dust, a drought bill was rushed through parliament and dozens collapsed at the Wimbledon tennis championships. Three days after Dennis Howell was appointed minister for drought, the rain came.

The 2012 shortages are already taking their toll on 35 million Britons, creating problems for wildlife, wetlands and crop production. Some rivers are at dangerously low levels and the Royal Society for the protection of Birds said the problems may affect endangered birds.

“A longer term drought, lasting until Christmas and perhaps beyond, now looks more likely,” Trevor Bishop, Head of Water Resources at the Environment Agency, said. “We are working with businesses, farmers and water companies to plan ahead.”