Key events

The latest declaration means there are now 45 million people living in regions affected by drought – including 27m under water use restrictions.

Interestingly, temporary use restrictions (such as hosepipe bans) have reduced public demand by up to 9% in some parts of the UK, the Environment Agency said in its statement.

The Horticulture Trades Association has a few tips for hot weather gardening, including:

• Watering plants in the early morning or evening. This helps plants take on water and reduces evaporation.

• Mulch when temperatures are lower, allowing the soil to retain moisture and protect against drying gusty winds.

• Choose drought-tolerant plants such as succulents and herbs, plants with silvery or hairy foliage, and alpines.

• Use water from washing up bowls, dog bowls, or anything you would otherwise be throwing away.

Remember you can still use watering cans and buckets during a hosepipe ban.

Almost three-quarters of England now in drought

After a meeting of the National Drought Group on Monday, four more regions of England were officially declared in drought: the East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs.

Illustration: PA

The update means 71.3% of England is now experiencing a flash drought, which is brought about by a combination of very low rainfall and higher temperatures.

England has recorded its driest July since records began in 1836.

You can read more about the declaration below.

More than 120 firefighters fight blaze in New Forest National Park

There are now more than 120 firefighters battling to prevent a blaze from spreading through internationally protected heathland in New Forest National Park, in England’s south.

“We have 10 fire engines and 13 off-road vehicles in attendance, and we plan to maintain this number of vehicles until at least midnight, although it is likely to be required for longer,” a spokesperson for the New Forest National Park Authority (NFNPA) said.

Smoke rises from a major heathland blaze in the New Forest near Ringwood in Hampshire. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

The blaze began when a van caught fire on the nearby A31 dual carriageway on Sunday evening.

Motorists are being diverted from the road which is closed in both directions “until further notice”.

Those visiting or taking diversions on New Forest roads should take extra care “and be aware of roaming livestock”, the NFNPA said.

“New Forest livestock, such as ponies, donkeys and cattle are unpredictable,” the authority said. “Pass wide and slow, be patient with animals and other drivers, and do not honk or rev your engines in an attempt to move them on.”

Drought in pictures

While we wait for that official declaration to come through, here are a few more photos coming through of dry conditions across England and Wales.

A couple sit on a bench looking out over Chesil beach and the dried landscape of of Portland, Dorset. Photograph: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images

Dried and yellowed grass at Parliament Square in London. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

A sweetcorn crop growing at a farm near London. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA

Afternoon summary

• Drought is expected to be declared in more areas of England later today as parts of the UK brace for the fifth heatwave of the summer.

• All of Wales and more than half of England are already in drought after an unprecedented period of dry, hot weather.

• The National Drought Group, whose members include the government, water companies, the National Farmers’ Union, the Met Office and conservation experts, are meeting on Monday and are expected to declare more regions in England in drought.

• The UK Health Security Agency earlier today updated heat-health alerts for nine regions in England, warning that rising temperatures this week may increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.

• Amber alerts will be in place for Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, East Midlands, east of England, south-east, London, south-west and north-west regions from 9am on Tuesday to 9pm on Friday. The north-east will be under a yellow alert during the same period.

• Temperatures could reach 36C (97F) or higher this week, forecasters have said, with the heat peaking in some spots on Thursday.

• The extended period of dry and hot weather, intensified by the climate crisis, has led to over 20 million people being subject to hosepipe bans as water supplies are placed under serious strain with rivers and reservoirs running dangerously low.

• The National Farmers’ Union has warned the drought could lead to shortages of certain foods in Britain, with farmers describing a “brutal harvest” for crops and a lack of feed for livestock.

Polly Ashmore, acting consultant in public health at the UK Health Security Agency, has urged people to take simple steps to stay safe, such as drinking plenty of water, keeping indoor spaces cool and avoiding the sun at the hottest part of the day.

“For vulnerable groups including older adults and those with existing health conditions, warmer weather can result in serious health outcomes,” she said.

“We urge health and social care services to ensure they are prepared and encourage people to check on vulnerable friends and family to make sure everyone is aware of the forecast, follows the necessary advice and stays safe in this period of hot weather.”

We are still anticipating the National Drought Group, whose members include the government, water companies and conservation experts, will declare more areas of England in drought after they have met this afternoon.

Liz Bentley, the chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that she predicted north-west England would be among the areas where drought could be declared later today. You can read this post to see the regions already declared to be in drought.

Here are some of the latest images being sent over the newswires as swathes of England and all of Wales experience drought:

Aerial view of the dry grass of a football pitch at Hackney Marshes in London. Photograph: Alberto Pezzali/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

This pond in Caversham Park in Berkshire has completely dried up in the extreme heat. Photograph: Geoffrey Swaine/Shutterstock

An aerial view of the dried out ground of Maiden Castle Iron Age hillfort in Dorchester. Photograph: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images

Supercharged by fossil fuel pollution, a string of heatwaves have hit Europe since the end of spring, with particularly brutal heat at the end of June expected to have resulted in more than 10,000 deaths.

The EU’s Copernicus climate change service said widespread dryness observed in May and June intensified last month, with exceptionally low rainfall and soil moisture in much of western Europe.

Across the dry regions, which include France, Spain, and parts of Germany and the UK, low river flows hit water supply, irrigation and power plants, including in countries downstream.

Short of cooling water, two coal-fired power plants were forced to shut in Poland last week, as well as Hungary’s sole nuclear power plant, for the first time in its 44-year history.

Heat and drought are among the biggest environmental threats to Europe’s economy. Early estimates for this summer suggest the June heat cost grain farmers €2bn in lost crops. You can read more here:

Met Office spokesperson Grahame Madge said that, after fresher conditions on Monday, “the heat really comes back in for a time, and will peak on Thursday.

“We’re expecting values to be in the mid 30Cs, and possibly highest in the East.”

Downing Street defended the government’s response to the heatwave and wildfires, with a meeting of the national drought group being held on Monday bringing together ministers, officials and the water companies.

The prime minister’s official spokesperson said:

We know these conditions are having a significant impact on communities, farmers and businesses across the country.

Our climate is changing. Droughts are becoming more common, which is why we’re focused on both the immediate response and long-term resilience.

That includes working through the national drought group with the Environment Agency, water companies, farmers, and environmental organisations to protect water supplies and minimise environmental damage.

And we’re also backing major investment in water infrastructure, including new reservoirs, whilst making clear that water companies must do more to cut leaks and improve resilience.