Cobra convened as UK faces fifth heatwave and drought emergency
The Met Office issues amber warning for extreme heat while Southern Water seeks rare drought restrictions in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
The UK government has convened an emergency Cobra meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, in response to the fifth heatwave of the summer. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for extreme heat, with temperatures forecast to reach 38C in parts of England. This marks the second such emergency gathering this year, underscoring the escalating pressure on national infrastructure and emergency services.
Nearly three-quarters of England and all of Wales are currently in drought, creating tinderbox conditions that have fuelled rapid wildfire spread. The National Fire Chiefs Council reported 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, including 185 in the first 10 days of August alone. Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright described the situation to Times Radio as a national emergency, noting that fires are being seen across the country.
Southern Water has applied for a rare drought order to restrict non-essential water use in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. If approved by Environment Secretary Angela Eagle, it would be the first such ban since May 2006, prohibiting businesses from activities such as cleaning cars and filling swimming pools. The application cites exceptionally low rainfall and concerns over water supplies.
The amber warning, scheduled from 9am tomorrow to midnight, covers major urban centres including London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Sheffield. Met Office chief forecaster Chris Bulmer warned that the extreme heat could cause adverse health effects for vulnerable groups, travel delays, and failures in heat-sensitive systems, potentially leading to power cuts.
Climate experts attribute the increased likelihood and intensity of these heatwaves to human-caused global heating from fossil fuel pollution. The UK recorded its second-warmest June and July on record, with the heatwave at the end of June being the most severe ever recorded in Europe. The Met Office states the country is on course to be the hottest summer since records began.
