Large parts of England and Wales have been officially declared to be in drought, impacting approximately 45 million people. This declaration comes as the United Kingdom experiences a severe heatwave, with temperatures forecast to reach 36°C (96.8°F) this week.
The current dry spell follows the driest July since records began in 1836, with no significant rainfall on the immediate horizon. Newspapers have highlighted the severity of the situation, with headlines such as '45m Brits in drought' and 'It never rains...but it pours.'
In addition to the drought conditions, newspapers are also reporting on a significant increase in the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats, with one vessel described as a 'mega-dinghy' carrying a large number of individuals. Headlines such as 'Not-so-small boats crisis' and ''No limit' to migrant mega dinghies' reflect concerns about this ongoing issue.