The Great Stink of 2026? Hot, dry summer leaves London holding its nose

Experts say putrid stench shows overhaul of sewers is needed – like the one prompted by the Great Stink of 1858London was “reeking with ineffable and intolerable horrors” after weeks of temperatures exceeding 30C and minimal rainfall. This was Disraeli’s description of the Great Stink of 1858, but something similarly disgusting has been happening this summer. Once again, an exceptionally hot and dry spell has exposed the putrid stench of untreated human waste.