Wildfires and record dry conditions trigger drought in parts of Wales
BBC News 2026-07-23 14:00:51
Context: Widespread wildfires, record-low river levels, and successive heatwaves have led to a drought declaration for parts of Wales, with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) confirming the affected areas include North and South Gwynedd, Ynys Môn, Dee, Clwyd, and Upper Severn. The drought was triggered by exceptionally low rainfall, dry soils, and severe environmental impacts. Wales has received only about 5% of its average July rainfall, with July on course to become the driest in Wales for almost 190 years.
Key Facts
- The areas affected by the drought declaration include North and South Gwynedd, Ynys Môn, also known as Anglesey, Dee, Clwyd, and Upper Severn, with NRW announcing enhanced monitoring and checks of waterways and important sites for wildlife.
- Wales has seen approximately 5% of its average rainfall for July, with the month on course to become the driest in Wales for almost 190 years if significant rainfall does not arrive before the end of the month.
- Rivers classed as exceptionally low include the Clwyd, Alwen, Alyn, Clywedog, Dyfi, and Conwy in north Wales, as well as the Wye, which runs through parts of mid Wales and south along the border with England.
- Extra water is being released from reservoirs to support flows on the Clwyd and Wye, as well as the river Severn in the south east and the Dee in north-east Wales, to mitigate the effects of the drought.
- High river temperatures have been recorded, with water temperatures as high as 28C recorded in the Wye and Usk, leading to concerns for the survival of aquatic life, with reports of fish kills and habitat loss due to low river flows.