// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Brief relief ahead of fifth heatwave - as more areas could move into drought
A welcome break from intense heat will arrive on Monday before temperatures soar across much of England and Wales, marking the fifth heatwave of the year.
The week ahead is forecast to remain mostly dry, with some parts of southern England racking up nearly two months with no significant rain.
The National Drought Group – made up of regulators, government officials, water companies and agricultural bodies – will meet on later on Monday to decide if more regions will be declared to be in drought.
Water supplies are under growing pressure from the continued dry weather and high demand, with 23 million people already facing hosepipes bans.
Temperatures will rise through this week with the peak of an intense heatwave likely on Thursday
Half of England and the whole of Wales are already officially in drought, and with little rain in sight, the Environment Agency (EA) has suggested that additional areas of England could enter drought status.
The National Farmers Union has warned that continuing dry weather could lead to some food shortages.
River levels have continued to fall after less than 10mm of rain across England for the seventh consecutive week.
East and south-east England have seen less than 1mm of rain, according to data from the agency's latest drought summary.
Reservoir levels have also continued to reduce, with almost all across England below normal and five classed as 'exceptionally low', according to the EA.