A drought has been declared across parts of England, including Cornwall. 

The National Drought Group, made up of government officials, water companies and other groups including the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) met this morning and announced the drought at 12 noon today (Friday).

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Temperatures hitting 35C will make the UK hotter than parts of the Caribbean this weekend.

July was the hottest on record since 1976 and the first half of this year has been the driest since 1976.

The south west is already on an amber alert for extreme heat and Dorset and Wiltshire were today placed on a red alert for fire.

There is also a heat health alert in place from the UK Health Security Agency, with advice to pay particular care to children, elderly people and those with existing health conditions.

The ongoing dry conditions, combined with last month’s record-breaking heatwave, have depleted rivers and reservoirs.

The tinder-dry soil, extreme temperatures and early harvest have already contributed to a mass of field fires and machinery fires across in Cornwall and beyond.

As yet, South West Water has not issued a hosepipe ban, although bans are in place in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Yorkshire.

Water minister Steve Double, who is also MP for St Austell and Newquay, said: “We are currently experiencing a second heatwave after what was the driest July on record for parts of the country. Action is already being taken by the Government and other partners including the Environment Agency to manage the impacts.

“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.

“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.”