Overview
- Provisional Met Office data shows England has received 61% of its expected annual rainfall as of 28 October.
- Officials report 41% of reservoirs are under half full and say around 482mm of average winter rain is required by March to largely recover stocks.
- Recent rain shifted Cumbria and Lancashire plus Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire from drought to drought recovery, though the improvement is fragile.
- Hosepipe bans from Yorkshire Water, Thames Water, South East Water and Southern Water remain in place in affected areas.
- The National Drought Group urges households to use water efficiently and instructs companies to cut leaks, ensure assets perform well and file early drought permits, with dry soils also increasing flash‑flood risk in heavy downpours.