Article author:
Reuters
Lucy Marks and Natalie Thomas
LONDON — Some experts say the headwaters of the Thames are closer than ever as England appears to plunge into drought. It dries up downstream. The country is not ready.
This July was the driest month since 1935, with an average of 23.1 millimeters (0.9 inches) of rainfall, just 35% of the monthly average, according to the Met Office. Some parts of the country experienced their driest July ever.
The River Thames stretches 215 miles (356 km) across southern England from Gloucestershire in the west, through central London, before joining the sea in Essex in the east.
The natural springs that feed the river known as the Source dry up most of the summer. However, conservationists have observed that the river bed has reached farther downstream than usual this year.
"The Thames is usually at its source, with a nice pub next to it. It's about 15 kilometers back upstream," said Rivers, her trust's engagement officer. Alice Deanor told Reuters. A small section of the River Thames at Cricklade, about 80 km west of London.
"It's very shallow here...but you don't have to go further up this little section of the Thames. You'll find yourself standing on dry ground. And really, it's still damp." It's the ground that should be and always be moist."
According to Naull, shallow, warm water contains enough oxygen for fish and other wildlife to thrive. It is said that there are few
The Thames Head Inn is upstream, just a few steps from the stones marking the headwaters of Gloucestershire's rivers. Its manager, 31-year-old David McMeeking, said he was concerned about the impact of climate change on the pub's name.
"Being the official source of the Thames, the stone will always be there, but whether the water comes is another matter," said one of his pints behind bars. said McMeeking, pouring the
Extreme heat
Unprecedented heat and lack of rainfall have caused his two water companies in the South to temporarily ban the use of hose pipes and sprinkler systems. announced that Thames Water, which supplies water to 15 million customers in London and south-east England, said it was planning to introduce similar curbs.
} A four-day 'hot weather' warning was issued for parts of England and Wales on Thursday. The Bureau of Meteorology issued such a warning for the first time last month, when temperatures rose above 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) for the first time.
Hannah Croke, a climate expert and hydrologist at the University of Reading, says that low rainfall lowers river levels and aquifers, which in turn reduces irrigation of crops, replenishment of drinking water, and industry. water is being taken from the channel for use in the
"In fact, if there is no rain in August, a dry winter could cause serious problems in the spring and next summer. Anyway," Cloak said. rice field.
She said hosepipe restrictions on individuals would help change attitudes about water use, but more important is investment in infrastructure and policies to prevent further climate change. (Reporting by Lucy Marks and Natalie Thomas, Editing by Alex Richardson)
