A broad spell of thunderstorm warnings has been issued across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and eastern Scotland as drought persists, with heavy rain forecast to bring the first meaningful rainfall in some time.

Water authorities are seeking a drought order for the River Severn to cut abstractions by 5% and cap canal withdrawals, aiming to conserve water and protect habitats amid falling reservoir and river levels.

Britain has just endured its fifth heatwave of the summer, including a record 38.1C at Kew Gardens, London, underscoring intensifying extremes linked to climate change.

Showers this week are unlikely to lift hosepipe bans, as sustained rainfall is needed to restore water levels.

The Environment Agency warned about ongoing threats to Severn habitats and farming communities, urging earlier use of Temporary Use Bans to safeguard supplies and ecosystems.

Officials caution that only prolonged, significant rainfall will ease drought conditions, while heavy showers can trigger flash flooding on hardened ground.

Rainfall amounts will be highly variable, with some areas getting 20–30mm or more if showers stall over locations, and others missing the showers altogether.

The weather pattern is shifting from high to low pressure, bringing more widespread rain in the coming days accompanied by cooler days and chillier nights.

Authorities emphasize that significant, sustained rainfall is needed to end the drought, and the drought order would stretch water supplies by slowing reservoir releases and reducing abstractions.

The drought is impacting Severn habitats and farming, reinforcing the call for substantial rainfall to restore conditions.

Water companies say the proposed drought measures would not affect public water supplies, while officials encourage earlier use of Temporary Use Bans to protect supplies and ecosystems.

The drought order is intended to stretch limited water and protect habitats and farming, with assurances that public drinking supplies remain unaffected.