UK drought washed away by wettest week since winter

Fiona Harvey in the Guardian (UK): The wettest week since winter has washed away the drought in some parts of the country, but restrictions remain in force, with Anglia still suffering. More rain fell in England and Wales in the last week than at any time since the start of February, alleviating the drought that has affected areas across the middle of the country. Most of the rainfall came in south Wales and the south-west of England, two of the areas worst hit by the dry spell.

But central and eastern England have still had less than half their average rainfall for the time of year, and Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, parts of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire and western Norfolk remain in official drought status.

Trevor Bishop, head of water resources at the Environment Agency, said: "While the rainfall this week will not reverse the effects of the dry spring, it has provided welcome water for crops, gardens and rivers across areas affected by or at risk of drought."

Last week, the Environment Agency was ready to advocate raising Wales, the south-west and the Midlands to drought status. However, heavy rains came just ahead of the expected announcement last Friday, and have continued, which means these regions are now unlikely to be in imminent danger of drought. Experts warned the next few weeks would be crucial, however….