Drought uncovers lost village at Rutland Water reservoir
Nether Hambleton emerges as water levels drop
As England faces continuing drought conditions, the remains of a lost village have emerged from Rutland Water reservoir in the East Midlands.
Demolished and flooded in the 1970s to create the reservoir, the village of Nether Hambleton, along with Middle Hambleton, was cleared of residents and buildings.
The reservoir, formed by damming the Gwash valley near Empingham, submerged over 3,000 acres, including cottages, farms, and farmhouses.
Completed in 1976, it took an additional three years to become one of western Europe's largest man-made bodies of water, spanning more than four square miles.
Currently, the reservoir's maximum depth reaches 34 metres, yet falling water levels have revealed the stonework remnants of Nether Hambleton.
The Environment Agency reports below-average rainfall in the East Midlands for the past five months, marking the driest spring and summer period since 1995 and recording the driest July.
Additional areas, including Lincolnshire, East Midlands, and East Sussex, have now been classified under drought status as of Monday.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for extreme heat on Thursday, predicting temperatures up to 38C in parts of England.
Forecast areas include London, the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands, and South Yorkshire, with the warning in effect from 9am to midnight.
Tony Grayling, the strategic drought lead at the EA, stresses the importance of mindful water usage amid worsening drought conditions.
Grayling stated, “We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated over the summer, but we need everyone’s help in using a little less water to make sure our current water reserves last.”
The drought is affecting farming and the environment, with calls for public cooperation to conserve water for farmers, wildlife, and local rivers.