By Zoila Palma: England could require at least 7 months of persistent above-average rainfall to fully recover from its current drought conditions, according to new research.
The Environment Agency (EA) says almost three-quarters of England remains in drought despite rainfall during the first half of September, following an exceptionally dry spring and summer marked by a series of heatwaves.
The EA estimates that England would need around 120% of its typical rainfall between now and April for all areas to recover from drought by spring 2027.
Even under the most likely scenario, which forecasts a wetter-than-normal autumn based on the latest Met Office outlook, parts of Devon and Cornwall and East Anglia could remain in drought at the beginning of next spring.
Other rainfall scenarios indicate there is roughly a one-in-four chance that about half of England could still be experiencing drought next spring, BBC reports.
However, the EA currently estimates only a 1% chance of a severe drought developing in the coming months. Severe drought is defined as water shortages having extensive and lasting effects on the environment, agriculture, communities and the economy, potentially posing a serious threat to public water supplies.
Recent rainfall has provided some relief, but groundwater levels remain low and reservoir storage across England was just under 57% last week, around 20% below the level normally expected at this time of year.
The dry conditions are also affecting other parts of the United Kingdom, with four areas of eastern Scotland experiencing significant water scarcity and all of Wales remaining under drought status.
The post International News: 7 months of rain needed to pull England out of drought, experts warn appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: England could require at least 7 months of persistent above-average rainfall to fully recover from its current drought conditions, according to new research. The Environment Agency (EA) says almost three-quarters of England remains in drought despite rainfall during the first half of September, following an exceptionally dry spring and summer marked by
The post International News: 7 months of rain needed to pull England out of drought, experts warn appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
