Scorched earth Britain: Aerial photos show how nation is baking as millions face hosepipe bans after eight days of record-breaking 34C heat
Aerial photographs have revealed the devastating effect of three heatwaves and ongoing dry weather on Britain’s green spaces – as millions now face a hosepipe ban.
Yellowing grass can be seen from above at the likes of Stonehenge, King’s College Cambridge and golf clubs around the UK as hosepipe bans start to come into force.
London spaces such as Wimbledon Common, Greenwich Park and Tooting Common have also turned brown due to the lack of rain and record-breaking temperatures.
Five water firms have imposed usage restrictions amid huge strain on supplies and an increasing risk of drought with officials particularly worried about East Anglia, Devon, Cornwall, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight following a very dry spring and summer.
Scorching conditions in the July heatwave – which follow the hottest ever days in May and June – are leading to an ‘extreme’ risk of wildfires and ongoing rail disruption.
London has had no rain since June 27, and there are no downpours listed in the Met Office forecast running until Sunday, meaning at least 22 consecutive dry days.
As the dry conditions continue, hosepipe bans have been announced by Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, South East Water and Southern Water.
People in the affected areas now cannot use hosepipes for watering their garden, washing cars, outdoor areas or windows or filling up swimming or paddling pools.
An aerial view of the very dry grass at Greenwich Park in south-east London on July 10
A white dry circle appears around the stones at a very arid Stonehenge (pictured on July 8)
Wimbledon Common in south-west London looked dry when photographed on July 7
The 15th green is surrounded by sun scorched fairways and rough at the Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club on East Cliff at West Bay in Dorset on July 7
The fairways at the Cambridgeshire Golf Club in Cambridge appear parched on July 8
Thames Water and Yorkshire Water are urging people to stop using hosepipes but have not imposed bans. Severn Trent, Essex and Suffolk Water, Wessex Water and Portsmouth Water are among other firms urging customers to use water wisely.
It comes as wildfires are blazing in 19 locations across England and Wales and the UK continues to bake, with more heat-health warnings issued for much of the country.
Seven English regions have been issued with yellow alerts between today and Friday by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) this week as the Met Office forecasts temperature peaks of 33C in south-central regions.
Emergency services are currently dealing with 19 active wildfire incidents, with fire and rescue teams dealing with a combination of large moorland and agricultural fires, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).
The NFCC said that latest assessments show ‘severe wildfire risk’ remains across large parts of England and Wales, with some locations continuing to have ‘extreme risk’.
Major incidents were declared for wildfires in North Wales and in Glossop, Derbyshire in the Peak District.
Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said: ‘The heatwave continues for much of the UK this week where we could see temperatures peak on Wednesday, possibly a high of 33C in some parts of southern-central England.
‘Temperatures through much of this week for southern-central parts of England are into the low 30s, and mid to high 20s are even possible elsewhere.
‘It’s going to be a sunny and warm week for the vast majority of the UK as high pressure remains in charge of our weather regime and is leading to clearer skies for many and lack of rainfall for many as well.’
There is barely a sign of green grass in Tooting Common, south London, seen on July 7
An aerial view shows a yellowing Beeston Fields Golf Course in Nottingham on July 8
However, temperatures are set to ease by the second half of the week.
He added: ‘What we can say as we get towards the weekend, we can see a slight dip in the temperatures to come.
‘So rather than the low 30s that we’ve seen through much of the week, by Saturday we’re looking at peak temperatures possibly in the mid-to-high 20s for many.
‘That’s largely because although high pressure is still in charge, we’re seeing more of a northerly influence, which is just helping to drop temperature slightly; still widely above average, and still warm and pleasant for many.
‘But not the kind of peak figures that we’ll see through much this week and that we saw through last week as well.’
The North West, South West, South East, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England and London have all been given yellow heat health alerts by the UKHSA, with the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber regions spared.
In North Wales, the fire service urged people not to enter the area near the village of Capelulo, where dozens of homes had been evacuated, as they tackled a wildfire at Conwy Mountain.
Yesterday evening, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) stood down its major incident and allowed the residents of 36 properties evacuated in Capelulo to return to their homes.
The service’s head of prevention Jody McEachern said: ‘Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout yesterday and overnight responding to a number of significant wildfire incidents across North Wales.
Visitors to Hyde Park in London cross a scorched landscape of yellowing grass on July 9
A drone photo of Blackheath in south-east London shows the impact of the weather on July 10
‘Significant work continues at Conwy Mountain and we will continue to monitor conditions closely throughout the day.
‘I would like to thank local communities for their patience and co-operation, and our firefighters, Control Room staff, partner agencies for their ongoing support.’
The NFCC also said that Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and West Midlands Fire Service were taking precautions to manage exceptionally high demand.
NFCC chairman Phil Garrigan said: ‘Fire and rescue services are currently responding to multiple significant wildfires across the UK, with challenging conditions helping fires to spread quickly and over large areas.
‘When vegetation is this dry, it only takes one spark to start a fire. What may begin as a small incident can escalate at speed, placing communities, firefighters and the environment at risk.
‘We are strongly urging everyone to take extra care while enjoying the outdoors.
‘Avoid using disposable barbecues in parks, moorland, countryside areas and other open spaces, never discard cigarettes on the ground, and make sure any litter is taken home.
‘Wildfires can cause immense damage to landscapes, wildlife, agriculture and local communities, while also placing significant pressure on emergency services.
‘A few simple actions can make a huge difference in helping to prevent fires before they start.’
