Kate Stephens

Rain has returned to parts of the UK, but the drought will not end after a few wet days. Sustained rainfall over the autumn and winter is needed to replenish rivers, reservoirs and groundwater, with experts expecting a clearer assessment of recovery by February or March. Although groundwater and reservoir levels have not yet reached severe drought conditions, a dry winter could significantly worsen the situation. Scientists also warn that heavy rain falling on parched ground can cause flash flooding, contributing to increasingly rapid swings between drought and floods as the climate warms. Experts are urging the government to plan for a prolonged water shortage and rethink how landscapes and infrastructure manage water.

The UK’s drought will not end after a few days of rain because soil moisture, rivers, aquifers and reservoirs need sustained rainfall to recover. Experts say hydrologists may know by February or March whether underground and human-made stores have been replenished, although environmental recovery could take years. The UK has not yet reached severe groundwater or reservoir drought, but a dry winter could worsen conditions significantly. Heavy rain also poses flash-flooding risks because parched soil absorbs water poorly, while climate change is increasing rapid swings between drought and flooding. Scientists and water experts say the government should prepare for a worst-case scenario and fundamentally rethink how landscapes and water are managed.