UK heatwave to remain until September with fears of more drought and death toll set to be highest on record

UK heatwave to remain until September with fears of more drought and death toll set to be highest on record The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that the number of excess deaths caused by heatwaves so far this year is already more than double the number for the whole of last year Britain's extreme weather is set to persist throughout August - and is set to lead to the highest number of heat-associated deaths on record this year. The Met Office says August is likely to be hotter and drier than usual. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported the number of excess deaths caused by heatwaves so far this year is already more than double the number for the whole of last year. Water minister Emma Hardy said: “Our climate is changing, droughts are becoming increasingly common, and we need to be prepared for this new normal. “We’re delivering long-term change in the water industry and driving record investments in infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs. “We expect water companies to follow their drought plans, to go further and faster to reduce leaks, and to ensure supplies are not disrupted even in the driest of weather.” Drought declared across whole of Wales UKHSA's new report estimates there were 2,877 heat-associated deaths during the heatwaves in May and June this year, with an estimated 753 deaths associated with the May heatwave from May 24-27. Report author Dr Ross Thompson, of UKHSA, said: "While the figures are interim, they suggest that, if we experience more periods of hot weather this summer, we could see the highest number of heat-associated deaths on record." He added: "These figures highlight the significant danger that very hot weather can pose to people's health. This is particularly true for those who are more vulnerable including older adults and people with underlying medical conditions." The expert said as the climate becomes warmer, Brits can expect periods of hot weather to become longer, more frequent and more extreme, adding it is vital the country is prepared to deal with higher temperatures. Drought has now been declared across the whole of Wales, with this month on course to be the driest July in Wales since records began 190 years ago, Natural Resources Wales said. Bleak statistics released Parts of the UK have this week sweltered through another heatwave which peaked on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching 35.2C in Writtle, Essex. Cooler conditions and some rain are forecast this weekend, but likely not in the driest areas There were another 2,124 deaths in the heatwave between June 21 and 28. Imperial College London, the Met Office, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine projected 2,700 excess deaths in a separate report this year. That report warned that two fifths of those deaths were due to the extra heat caused by climate change. Major incident declared after Suffolk wildfire The grim prediction came as firefighters tried to contain a large wildfire that broke out on Dunwich Heath in Suffolk. A major incident has been declared due to the size and complexity of the blaze - now about the size of 140 football pitches - with the RSPB saying it could take 25 years for the heathland to recover Homes and 200 caravans have been evacuated. Residents were alerted by a 'hammering on the door' and told to evacuate immediately on Wednesday night. Suffolk Fire and Rescue service said Sizewell B nuclear power station was not at risk from the fire, due to the distance from the fire and the direction it was travelling, but said it was a "live and dynamic situation". August could be hotter and drier than usual, according to the Met Office, with warmer, drier conditions predicted beyond next month so we may have to wait weeks until for the rain needed to recharge supplies. Huge concern for vulnerable people NHS Alliance director Ruth Rankine, said there had been a marked increase in the number of GP appointments in June compared with the previous month and they were up by more than 10% from the same time last year. She said: "It's possible this could reflect the impact of sustained high temperatures which can increase health risks for vulnerable people and have unfortunately led to a sharp jump in deaths linked to heat. "Great credit is due to GPs and primary care colleagues for the way they are rising to the exceptional challenges of this summer season. They are doing all they can to help people as quickly as possible." Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said of the heat-related death toll: "My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones as a result of the long and intense heatwaves in recent months. "And my heartfelt thanks go to the NHS staff, care workers and emergency responders who have worked tirelessly through these exceptionally busy and challenging months to protect and care for people affected by the heat." Record-breaking temperatures Wednesday was the seventh day of 2026, during which temperatures reached 35C or warmer. Before this year, the record was five days in which temperatures were at or above 35C, set in 1976 and matched in 2020. Record temperatures have become the norm with heatwaves bringing new highs for May and June. Some 23 million customers are under hosepipe bans, and around 1,400 businesses have had to stop abstracting water. Dry, hot conditions have hit river flows and wildlife, as well as affecting crops and livestock. The harvest has come early. Cereals are experiencing poorer yields, and livestock farmers are using winter feed due to poor grass growth. Even those with on-farm reservoirs are likely to run out of supply during August in drought-stricken areas, experts say. Hard-baked earth will cause issues when harvesting crops such as potatoes and carrots. Farmers are calling for efforts to make agriculture more resilient to climate change, including making it easier to build on-farm reservoirs and flexible abstraction licences so farmers can take and store water when it rains. Wildfires continue to rage across Europe In response to the heatwaves and wildfires hitting much of Europe, the UK and Spain have issued a joint statement warning that climate change is "a national security emergency" threatening people's way of life. Following a meeting between Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Spain's foreign minister José Manuel Albares Bueno, the countries put out a joint statement. They stated thatt addressing the climate crisis was an urgent priority, to tackle the cost of living, protect health and wellbeing, and to ensure European economic and energy security. They agreed that this summer's wildfires demonstrated that climate change was now a "national security emergency facing Europe and threatening our way of life". The 2,877 excess deaths in the UK this year represents a significant increase on the 1,504 excess deaths observed in summer 2025 Dr Thompson, who is Principal Environmental Public Health Scientist at UKHSA, added that we need to prepare to deal with higher temperatures to protect the most vulnerable in society.