Farmers are bracing for another tough year as England’s drought shows little sign of easing. Experts have warned that water shortages could last until 2026 unless there are months of winter rain.
The National Drought Group (NDG), made up of the Met Office, the Environment Agency, water companies, the NFU and conservation groups, met in London this week to assess the country’s fragile water situation.
Despite some rainfall, England’s reservoirs are only 63% full compared to the seasonal average of 76%, with some in the south at a critical point below 30%.
NDG chair Helen Wakeham said recent showers were “very welcome” but not enough. “We need more rain this winter to fill our rivers, reservoirs and groundwater,” she said, calling on households to continue using water sparingly, even during wet periods.
“Climate change means we must prepare for more droughts,” he added, calling water security a “national priority” and calling on water companies to continue tackling leakages and promoting water efficiency year-round.
England will need at least 482mm of rainfall, the all-season average, by the end of March to recover from drought, the research group has heard. But so far, that goal has been met or exceeded for only two months in 2025.
The summer of 2025 was the hottest since records began in 1884, but the previous spring was the driest in 132 years, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Chief meteorologist Dr Will Lang said the UK had only received 61 per cent of its expected annual rainfall by late October. “Without sustained widespread precipitation, a consistent recovery from drought remains uncertain,” he warned.
Although the northwest has seen above-average rainfall, many areas in the south and east remain severely dry. Cumbria and Greater Manchester have moved from drought to ‘drought recovery’ status, but authorities have warned that progress could quickly be reversed if a new drought occurs.
On the ground, many farmers are struggling to irrigate late-crop crops, have poor grass growth in the spring and summer, and are now relying on winter fodder to keep livestock fed.
NDG also urges farmers to check their water extraction licenses, increase storage capacity in reservoirs and work with neighbors to share water resources. Despite recent rains, the agricultural sector remains under pressure heading into winter.
Water Minister Emma Hardy praised the public and farming community for conserving supplies, but said: “The ongoing drought continues to pose risks to public water supplies, agriculture and the environment.” She added that the government was investing in nine new reservoirs to ensure “long-term water resilience”.
But experts warn the crisis is far from over, as the Environment Agency still classifies the drought as an “event of national significance”.
The NDG is due to meet again early next year to reassess the situation, but all eyes will be on whether England’s winter rains can finally turn the tide.
