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| Environment Agency declares drought across Yorkshire | Environment Agency declares drought across Yorkshire |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The region experienced an unusually dry spring | The region experienced an unusually dry spring |
| A drought has been declared across Yorkshire by the Environment Agency. | A drought has been declared across Yorkshire by the Environment Agency. |
| It follows weeks of unusually dry weather in the region, leading to low water levels in reservoirs and rivers. | It follows weeks of unusually dry weather in the region, leading to low water levels in reservoirs and rivers. |
| Yorkshire Water said the declaration did not immediately change the situation for customers but warned that temporary restrictions on water usage could be introduced if there is no significant rainfall. | |
| The announcement comes after England experienced its driest spring in more than 100 years, beaten only by 1893, according to the Met Office. | The announcement comes after England experienced its driest spring in more than 100 years, beaten only by 1893, according to the Met Office. |
| Claire Barrow, Yorkshire environment, planning and engagement manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Our climate is changing, and we had 22 days of almost no recorded rainfall in May. | Claire Barrow, Yorkshire environment, planning and engagement manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Our climate is changing, and we had 22 days of almost no recorded rainfall in May. |
| "While we have had some rain at the start of June, it has not been enough to reverse the impacts of the prolonged dry weather. | "While we have had some rain at the start of June, it has not been enough to reverse the impacts of the prolonged dry weather. |
| "We are working with Yorkshire Water to make sure they enact their drought plans." | "We are working with Yorkshire Water to make sure they enact their drought plans." |
| Ms Barrow also encouraged people to be aware of the environmental impacts of droughts and take steps to save water. | Ms Barrow also encouraged people to be aware of the environmental impacts of droughts and take steps to save water. |
| Yorkshire last experienced a drought in 2022, when a hosepipe ban was also put in place. | Yorkshire last experienced a drought in 2022, when a hosepipe ban was also put in place. |
| What does a drought mean for Yorkshire? | |
| Water Minister Emma Hardy said she was receiving regular updates from the Environment Agency. | Water Minister Emma Hardy said she was receiving regular updates from the Environment Agency. |
| "I'm doing everything in my power to hold Yorkshire Water to account to ensure we have the regular supply of water that is needed across the region," she added. | "I'm doing everything in my power to hold Yorkshire Water to account to ensure we have the regular supply of water that is needed across the region," she added. |
| Met Office statistics showed that West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and South Yorkshire had seen just 40%, 43%, 40% and 41% of the average rainfall for March, April and May. | Met Office statistics showed that West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and South Yorkshire had seen just 40%, 43%, 40% and 41% of the average rainfall for March, April and May. |
| Drought status was previously declared for the north west of England in May and three other areas - the North East, East Midlands and West Midlands - are also experiencing prolonged dry weather. | |
| Dave Kaye, from Yorkshire Water, said the dry spring had impacted reservoir levels | |
| Dave Kaye, director of water at Yorkshire Water, said: "We've seen water demand decrease in recent weeks thanks to the welcome rainfall and the efforts of our customers to save water. | Dave Kaye, director of water at Yorkshire Water, said: "We've seen water demand decrease in recent weeks thanks to the welcome rainfall and the efforts of our customers to save water. |
| "We had one of the driest springs on record, which has impacted our reservoir levels, meaning they are much lower than normal for this time of year. | "We had one of the driest springs on record, which has impacted our reservoir levels, meaning they are much lower than normal for this time of year. |
| "Without significant rainfall in the coming months, temporary usage restrictions are a possibility." | "Without significant rainfall in the coming months, temporary usage restrictions are a possibility." |
| Mr Kaye said that the drought declaration did not immediately change the situation for customers. | Mr Kaye said that the drought declaration did not immediately change the situation for customers. |
| But he said the firm would continue to work closely with the Environment Agency to manage resources carefully and move water around the region to areas that need it most. | But he said the firm would continue to work closely with the Environment Agency to manage resources carefully and move water around the region to areas that need it most. |
| Levels at reservoirs such as Scout Dike near Penistone are significantly below average, Yorkshire Water says | |
| Scientists have warned that drought conditions will become more intense in the UK, with climate change putting strain on water resources. | |
| Dr Jess Neumann, associate professor of hydrology at the University of Reading, said: "The drought announcement in Yorkshire comes only a few weeks after parts of north-west England declared a drought. | |
| "An unseasonably dry spring, the driest in nearly 90 years, means many reservoir levels are only 60-65% full, well below the 80-85% average for this time of year. | |
| "The lack of rainfall is placing significant strain on public water supply, affecting agricultural crop production, and harming wildlife and the environment." | |
| Dr Neumann added that drought status in two large areas of England "raises important questions about the security of our water in the long term". | |
| "It is no longer abundant and plentiful. We urgently need to adjust to a future of climate change and water stress," she said. | |
| Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. | Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. |