The aftermath of the Dagenham bushfires shows devastation
Yorkshire Water has become the latest company to announce a hose ban as another heatwave scorches the country after months of little rain.
The restrictions will come into force from August 26, company director Neil Dewis said, citing fears of falling water reserves and the need for caution over “the supply of clean water and long-term river health” as the basis for their decision.
It comes as drought is expected to be declared for some of the worst-hit areas of southern and eastern England after many faced the driest July on record.
On Thursday, experts warned that only “exceptional rainfall” in these hard-hit parts of the country during autumn and winter will ensure water resources return to normal before next year, raising concerns that the restrictions could extend until 2023.
“The autumn-winter period as a whole will be critical in dictating what the position of water resources will be as we move into 2023,” said Jamie Hannaford, a hydrologist at the UK’s Center for Ecology and Hydrology.
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Drought will not lead to ‘supportive UK behavior’
The drought in the UK would not lead to “nation-wide drives”, a cabinet minister has insisted.
Asked by LBC what a drought would mean for Britain and what action water companies should take, Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey said: “This is not going to be like the 1970s where there were pipes in the whole country when it had similar temperatures.
“In fact, since private investment came into the water industry, we’ve seen a lot more improvements in things like leaks and the like.
“We need to continue to keep that focus, but overall, I think it’s about people being careful with their water.”
Emily Atkinson 12 August 2022 09:09
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The drought is a “consequence of a changing climate and environment”, UKHSA says
Drought is a consequence of climate and environmental change, and these changes leave the world open to “an increasing risk of new and emerging infectious diseases”, Professor Isabel Oliver has warned.
The UK Health Safety Agency’s Chief Scientific Adviser Transition Officer told Sky News: “These changes are associated with an increased risk of new and emerging infectious diseases – so diseases that may not we had seen before, because of our changing environment, we are at greater risk of suffering.
“It’s very important that, you know, we continue to work to make sure that we prevent and mitigate these health threats.”
Emily Atkinson 12 August 2022 08:59
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Thames Water hose ban ‘could be brought forward if drought declared’
Thames Water is “ready to roll” to announce a hose ban if a drought is declared, its director of strategy and regulatory affairs has said.
Cathryn Ross said there is a process to introduce a ban, but it could be avoided if an official drought declaration is made later on Friday.
She told BBC Breakfast: “We have to wait and see what the government says and what exactly that means, possibly even later today. I don’t know, obviously we’ll take that into account.
“But as you’ve probably realised, we at Thames Water have been asking our customers since the end of May to respond to the hot weather, to respond to the dry weather and to take steps to use water wisely.”
Asked if a drought was declared, if the hose ban could come immediately, he said: “Most likely, yes. We are prepared to go ahead with our hose ban.
“Obviously, before we introduce the ban itself, we need to be really ready with all our communications to people across the region, so we’re very clear to everyone what they can do, what they can’t do and if they have problems how to contact us. We are ready to do it.”
Emily Atkinson August 12, 2022 8:44 am
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Extreme heat “more evidence” of climate change, says minister
Cabinet minister Therese Coffey has called on water companies to “do their bit” to reduce water leaks as another heat wave scorches the country after months of scant rainfall.
Asked whether the extreme heat that led to the drought in England was due to climate change, the Work and Pensions Secretary told Sky News: “I think it’s certainly more evidence, if people needed it, of the impact of extreme weather events with gradual climate change.”
He added: “In the short term, we have seen an increase in investment to try to reduce leakage…water companies must continue to do their part to reduce unnecessary leakage.”
Emily Atkinson 12 August 2022 08:26
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Sainsbury’s and Tesco are curbing sales of disposable barbecues amid “exceptional” fire risk.
Sainsbury’s and Tescos are the latest supermarkets to halt sales of disposable barbecues amid fears they could spark dangerous bushfires after the recent dry season left meadows like a bait box.
It is following in the footsteps of Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Aldi in stopping sales of the potentially dangerous products altogether.
Tesco initially implemented a temporary local ban on the sale of single-use barbecues near areas of outstanding beauty, a policy similar to those currently in place at Co-op and Morrisons outlets.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “As a precautionary measure we are withdrawing all single-use barbecues from sale until further notice.
Safety is our top priority and we have made this decision due to the hot and dry weather we are currently experiencing across the country.
“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and listen to customer feedback.”
It follows a petition on the UK government’s website calling for a national ban which has so far amassed more than 20,000 signatures.
Emily Atkinson August 12, 2022 8:05 am
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The drought could last until 2023, experts warn
Experts have warned that only “exceptional rainfall” in the worst-hit parts of southern and eastern England over the autumn and winter will ensure water resources return to normal before next year, sparking concern concerns that the restrictions could last until 2023.
“The autumn-winter period as a whole will be critical in dictating what the position of water resources will be as we move into 2023,” said Jamie Hannaford, a hydrologist at the UK’s Center for Ecology and Hydrology.
Emily Atkinson August 12, 2022 7:53 am
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Yorkshire Water announces first hose ban in 27 years as reservoir levels fall below 50%
Yorkshire Water has become the latest company to announce a ban on hosepipes, with restrictions coming into effect from August 26.
Yorkshire Water director of water Neil Dewis said: “Our decision to introduce a hose ban is based on the risk that water stocks will continue to fall in the coming weeks and the need to be cautious with clean water supplies and long-term river health.”
There is also a heat health alert from the UK’s Health Safety Agency, with experts advising people to keep an eye on the elderly or those with existing health conditions, as well as young children.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports:
Yorkshire Water announces first hose ban in 27 years as reservoir levels fall
Yorkshire Water has become the latest company to announce a ban on hosepipes, with restrictions coming into effect from August 26.
Emily Atkinson August 12, 2022 7:36 am
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Drought may be declared in parts of England amid heatwave
Drought is expected to be declared in parts of England as another heatwave scorches the country after months of scant rainfall.
There are expectations that drought could be declared in the worst-hit areas of southern and eastern England, following the driest July on record for some areas and the driest first half of the year since 1976.
The National Drought Group, made up of government and agency officials, water companies and other groups such as the National Farmers Union (NFU), will meet today to discuss the prolonged dry weather.
Drought expected to be declared in parts of England as heatwave scorches UK
Temperatures will rise into the mid-30s, with warnings of health risks and therefore bushfires.
Sravasti Dasgupta August 12, 2022 7:25 am
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In pictures: Forest fires raged across Europe
A man and a boy watch a forest fire in Carrapichana, Celorico da Beira, Portugal
(REUTERS)
A view shows trees and vegetation burned by a major fire in Hostens, as wildfires continue to spread in the Gironde region of southwestern France.
(REUTERS)
A view of a house and car destroyed by fire in Belin-Beliet, as wildfires continue to spread in the Gironde region of southwestern France
(REUTERS)
A photo taken overnight on August 11, 2022 shows the sky turning red as it is lit by flames in a forest fire near Belin-Beliet, southwest France
(AFP via Getty Images)
Aisha Rimi August 12, 2022 07:00
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Watch: Skies in southern France fill with flames after wildfires rage across the country
Forest fires: The skies over southern France are filled with flames in apocalyptic scenes
Aisha Rimi 12 August 2022 06:00