First signs of drought recovery in Wales
Natural Resources Wales issues update after hottest Summer on record
Last updated 25th Sep 2026
Early signs of recovery from drought are beginning to show in Wales after the UK experienced its hottest summer on record.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said rivers in south-west Wales had responded well to recent rainfall and were approaching normal flows for the time of year.
However, much of the country remains in drought status, which was first declared across Wales in July.
The UK experienced its hottest summer on record this year, with five intense heatwaves alongside historic dry spells that triggered widespread drought declarations and hosepipe bans across much of the nation.
Rhian Thomas, Sustainable Water and Nature Manager for NRW, said: “The heatwaves over the summer intensified the dry conditions, causing a rapid deterioration of the environment and widespread impacts to waters, soils, wildlife and habitats.
“While it’s promising to see signs of recovery, we cannot be complacent.
“We expect it will take time, and more sufficient rainfall into the autumn before the environment fully recovers, and we will be closely monitoring conditions in the weeks and months to come.”
NRW has confirmed that south-west Wales will move into “recovery from drought” status, while areas in south-east, north Wales and upper Severn remain in drought.
Ms Thomas added: “With Wales reaching drought conditions for the last two summers, we must all be prepared for more frequent droughts in the future.
“As our climate continues to change, we expect to see a shift towards hotter, drier summers and wetter winters, with water less reliably available throughout the year.
“We are already planning for climate change in everything we do across our remit.
“This includes drought planning for the future and setting guidance for water company long-term planning.
“Our aim is to support a Wales which is more resilient to drought in the future.”