Britain on red alert: More scorching heat looms as water supplies fall

Britain could be heading for another blast of scorching weather in September as forecasters warn that further heatwaves are possible, with drought conditions already putting pressure on water supplies.

The Met Office has warned that temperatures are likely to remain above average next month, with “some spells of hot weather and heatwaves” possible, particularly across southern parts of the country.

The warning comes as Britain braces for another surge in temperatures, with forecasts suggesting a sixth heatwave of the year could arrive next week.

While the long-range forecast cannot predict exact temperatures, officials are increasingly concerned about the lack of rainfall after months of exceptionally dry conditions left large parts of England facing drought.

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London and surrounding areas have been among the worst affected, with water reserves falling sharply. Thames Water said storage levels had dropped by 15 per cent in just one month as the prolonged dry spell restricted the amount of water available.

The company insisted households should not fear taps running dry but warned the public that every drop counts during the drought.

“It’s been bone dry, we’ve not been able to abstract an awful lot of water,” said Thames Water water director Martin Padley.

The latest heatwave threat follows a summer of repeated temperature spikes, prompting the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to issue amber heat-health alerts covering London, the South East, East of England and East Midlands.

The alerts warned of potential risks to vulnerable groups, including older people and those with existing health conditions.

Water restrictions are already affecting millions of households. Thames Water introduced a temporary hosepipe ban on July 23, while Affinity Water has imposed restrictions across parts of west London and Essex, and Essex and Suffolk Water has introduced measures covering areas of east London.

The combination of record-breaking heat, shrinking water reserves and the prospect of more hot weather has raised fears that Britain’s drought could intensify as summer gives way to autumn.

With little significant rainfall expected in the coming weeks, pressure is mounting on households, farmers and water companies to reduce consumption as the country faces an increasingly uncertain end to the summer.