When it comes to the weather, England has a grey and damp reputation. Yet millions of British residents are now facing emergency drought measures, and summer is still months away.
Authorities warn that parts of England are desperately short of water following the driest 16-month period in more than 70 years, including two winters of unusually low rainfall.
The Environment Agency, a government environment-protection body, warns that the coming summer could see one of the worst droughts in a century.
The agency says that in many areas underground water reserves and river flows are at their lowest levels on record for this time of year.
This summer London and southeast England are expected to be hit hardest, as average rainfall is surprisingly low for a region known for its lush lawns and leaden skies.
Today the U.K.'s densely populated southeast area has almost five times less water available per person than Sudan (see map) in sub-Saharan Africa, according to Environment Agency figures.
From Cities to Wetlands
Utility firm Thames Water, which services some eight million customers in the southeast region, announced that it is imposing water restrictions for the first time in 15 years.
"Did you know that London receives less rainfall than Istanbul [Turkey], Rome [Italy], and Dallas [Texas]?" Jeremy Pelczer, chief executive of Thames Water, wrote in a letter explaining the need for the restrictions.
From the start of April, residents across southeast England will be banned from using hoses or sprinklers to water their gardens or wash their cars.
Residents are also being urged to cut back on water use by hand-washing dishes, taking showers instead of baths, and turning off the tap while brushing their teeth.
Water companies have appealed to the U.K. government to impose additional restrictions that would prevent watering parks and sports fields or filling swimming pools.
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