WorldDriest July on Record: English Farmers Count the Cost

Drought has spread across Wales and half of England, leaving large areas severely dry. In East Sussex, sweet corn has been scorched, while wheat harvesting began a month earlier than usual. England experienced its driest July ever recorded, receiving only 7% of normal rainfall, and 78% of rivers were below their typical levels. Farmers estimate wheat yields could fall by 25–30%, with other spring cereals potentially suffering even greater losses. The growing risk has become part of their everyday reality.