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The UK is experiencing its second drought in two years as very low rainfall and high temperatures take a toll on the natural environment<\/a>, water reserves, and public health.<\/p>\n There is an official drought in seven regions<\/a> across England, the Environment Agency has confirmed, affecting up to 28 million people \u2013 almost half of the country\u2019s population.<\/p>\n These areas are mostly located in the central, eastern and southern regions, but prolonged dry weather<\/a> has also been declared across the North West and East Midlands.<\/p>\n July is expected to be the driest on record for England according to the Environment Agency. The country is forecast to see just seven per cent of its expected rainfall this month, and just one per cent in the southern regions.<\/p>\n Satellite images reveal the impact of the prolonged dry conditions, with severe browning visible and reservoirs showing signs of depletion:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Helen Wakeham, the director of water at the Environment<\/a> Agency and chair of the National Drought<\/a> Group, said: \u201cThe hot and dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it.<\/p>\n \u201cA second consecutive summer drought is an exceptionally serious situation and one that will have long-lasting impacts on our environment, wildlife and the economy.<\/p>\n The areas in drought are East Anglia, Hertfordshire and the whole of London, Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, the West Midlands, and Wessex \u2013 covering Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.<\/p>\n These conditions mark a sudden departure from the wet winter seen just a few months ago, which went some way to replenishing the reservoirs and groundwater that were affected by last year\u2019s drought.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The drought warning comes as parts of the UK experience their fourth heatwave of the year, with temperatures<\/a> reaching into the 30s again in some places.<\/p>\n It follows the record-breaking heatwaves<\/a> in May, June and earlier this month. Conditions have prompted wildfires across the country, as millions are banned from using their hosepipes.<\/p>\n A new June temperature record of 38C was recently set by the Met Office, up from the provisional figure of 37.7C.<\/p>\n Water minister Emma Hardy said: \u201cOur climate is changing, droughts are becoming increasingly common, and we need to be prepared for this new normal.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re delivering long-term change in the water industry and driving record investments in infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs.<\/p>\n \u201cWe expect water companies to follow their drought plans, to go further and faster to reduce leaks, and to ensure supplies are not disrupted even in the driest of weather.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Experts have warned that the extreme weather is evidence of human-caused climate change, largely stemming from the burning of fossil fuels.<\/p>\n