Four days of extreme heat are in full swing in London and now drought has been declared across the region.

The drought will see the Environment Agency and water companies implementing more of their plans to manage the impacts of low water levels, which can include actions such as hosepipe bans.

By Friday afternoon, temperatures are set to soar as high as 35C in southern areas, which will be hotter than the Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados.

Water Minister Steve Double said action was already being taken by the Government, the EA and others to manage the impacts.

This Is Local London: Drought has been declared in London (PA)Drought has been declared in London (PA)

“All water companies have reassured us that essential supplies are still safe, and we have made it clear it is their duty to maintain those supplies”, he said.

“We are better prepared than ever before for periods of dry weather, but we will continue to closely monitor the situation, including impacts on farmers and the environment, and take further action as needed.”

Will there be a hosepipe ban in London?

Thames Water, which covers London, has said it will introduce a hosepipe ban in London and surrounding areas which will affect 15 million people, “in coming weeks”.

Hosepipe bans come into force amid hot and dry conditions in the UK

Environment Agency drought areas

Currently, the areas where drought has been declared do not include Bolton or the north west.

The Environment Agency has moved into drought in eight of its 14 areas:

  • Devon and Cornwall
  • Solent and South Downs
  • Kent and south London
  • Herts and north London
  • East Anglia
  • Thames
  • Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire
  • The East Midlands