Hosepipe bans are coming into force in parts of Britain as prolonged heat and dry weather put pressure on water supplies.
Aerial photographs show yellowing grass near Stonehenge and King’s College Cambridge, and at golf clubs. In London, Wimbledon Common, Greenwich Park and Tooting Common have turned brown. The dry conditions follow three heatwaves, with temperatures reaching 34C during an eight-day spell.
Five companies have announced restrictions: Southern Water, Cambridge Water, Affinity Water, South East Water and Anglian Water. In affected areas, hosepipes cannot be used to water gardens, wash cars, outdoor areas or windows, or fill swimming and paddling pools.
Officials are particularly concerned about drought risk in East Anglia, Devon, Cornwall, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight after a dry spring and summer. The heat is also linked to an extreme wildfire risk and continuing rail disruption. London has had no rain since 27 June, with none forecast through Sunday.
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