Great Britain facing perspective of drought is announced in August, according to experts, warning of potential crop failure after period of surprisingly dry weather and extreme heat.
hose bans for households can be involved in across the UK and farmers could be prevented from irrigating their crops if government implements a drought plan.
On Tuesday, the National Drought Control Group, made up of government departments and affected groups will meet to discuss strategy to deal with with very dry conditions faced across England. Another countries in Great Britain also discussion of measures to respond to a possible drought.
The meeting was to take place in October according to plan for 2023, but conditions have become so dry that forward.
Last week record- the raging heat baked the soil, leading farmers increase watering for harvest and increase rate of evaporation from reservoirs.
Farmers may not be allowed to water their crops in decisive period of august and september, with root crops such as potatoes are under particular threat. Harvest could fail due to lack of water and dry soil can make harvesting difficult.
Minette Butters, President of The National Farmers Union said: “We have no time to waste. Situation with the water is very, very serious for producers – there are consequences for costs and viability of the crop.
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Producers can face huge costs if their crop yields drop due to dry conditions, and many already signed contracts with supermarkets and other suppliers, which means they may have to bear these costs alone.
Butters said: “Who will pay for these additional costs? All in supply chain, retailers have to do sure They pick up tab for rising expenses. Manufacturers have already signed contracts with supermarkets. He needs others in network to come and take these extra costs into account.”
Specialists from the Met Office and the Environment Agency are preparing for further heatwaves this summer as weather still very hot in Europe and this possible it could, it could move up to the UK.
Scotland faces water shortage risk vigilance after hot, dry weather with restrictions on abstractions that are considered mitigating risk. No representation of Scottish bodies on National Drought Control Group and any hose ban decisions would made locally.
Drought on the continent already was announced, with Italy declares a water security emergency, while Spain and Portugal facing pressure.
“It really highlights the futility of just relying on import; other European countries are in the situation is much worse than ours,” Butters said. “We took our water supplies for granted in this country for so long. We do not store moving water in in way what we should to be. Water security and food security are inextricably linked, and food security is incredibly important. We don’t see growers not having a viable crop.”
Last two droughts in UK have been announced in 2018 and 2011 but very dry and hot conditions weather I mean government trains for the worst outcome is year.
An EPA spokesperson said: “We had a long dry weather this is year resulting in exceptionally low river flows in many of England and the drop in the level of reservoirs in Yorkshire, central and south-western England. Recent hot temperatures will increase the chance of local influences and pressure on water environment and wildlife.
“Environment Agency teams monitor river levels and respond to environmental incidents, and we work with water companies to manage water resources and take precautions for ensure needs of water users and environment are met. Water companies also playing out my drought plans as a normal precaution to maintain the water supply. “
Professor Chris Binnie, water engineer who used to be president of Charter institution of The Water and Environmental Resources Authority said these droughts could happen more often because of changing of the climate.
He explained: “In England, climate change is likely to result in drier summers and wetter winters. However, with elevated temperatures, summer dry spells likely last longer and therefore increase risk of droughts, especially in one summer season critical reservoirs.
“Some water companies have tanks that are lower than usual. Some may call for insignificant use bans. FROM higher temperature, there is a large evapotranspiration from soil and vegetation. This means that when it next rain, more it will rain required raise soil water content to the field tank. This will delay the onset of increase in river flow in autumn and will especially delay recharge of underground aquifers supplying water to some areas of country.”
