For the second consecutive year, Southern Water has implemented water restrictions due to the severe drought affecting the UK. This decision comes after a record-breaking heatwave, which saw temperatures soar to 37C, drying up water supplies.
The River Test, which supplies water to most people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, has reached critically low levels. This has caused concerns among water officials, who are working to mitigate the effects of the drought.
Tania Flasck, director of water operations, noted that the current water flow in June is significantly lower than anticipated. "When we've actually measured the levels, we've seen it's dropped down a lot, a lot further and faster than we've anticipated," she said.
The heatwave that affected the UK was part of a larger sweltering spell that gripped western Europe. Temperature records were smashed on three consecutive days, causing travel disruptions and heat-related issues in cities like London and Paris.
The heatwave led to over 1,300 excess deaths in Europe and at least seven people drowned in the UK's open waters. Another warm weather front could be hitting the UK over the weekend and into next week, indicating that the summer heatwaves may not be over yet.
Currently, temperatures in the UK remain below 25C, even in London and the South East, which was the area most affected by the heatwave. However, patches of rain are expected in northern England and Scotland over the next couple of days, while areas in the south will remain dry, risking drought and another hosepipe ban.
