As the UK gears up for its fifth heatwave of the summer - because four just wasn't enough - drought is expected to be declared in even more parts of England. The National Drought Group, a coalition featuring the government, water companies, the National Farmers' Union, the Met Office, and conservation experts, will convene on Monday to assess the unfolding water crisis.

Currently, half of England and all of Wales are officially in drought, with about 40% of England's population under hosepipe bans. Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that north-west England - currently under the less severe 'prolonged dry weather' status - could be among the areas upgraded to full drought on Monday. The Environment Agency had already hinted on Friday that several areas would likely see drought status changes this week.

Last month was the driest July since records began nearly 200 years ago, and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology described the lack of rainfall as 'unparalleled.' River flows declined rapidly across the UK during July, with only catchments in the far north of Scotland remaining above normal. This month, groundwater levels are expected to be normal to below normal in the chalk and Jurassic limestone aquifers of England, and notably low in the carboniferous limestone of south Wales.

The drought announcement arrives as the UK braces for its fifth heatwave. Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan noted that Thursday could be the hottest day of the week, with a small chance temperatures might exceed 36C in some places. Scientists have attributed the intensified heatwaves and extreme dry weather to the fossil fuel-driven climate crisis, with the June heatwave affecting much of western Europe deemed 'only possible' due to climate change.

Green party leader Zack Polanski, never one to mince words, accused Labour of 'gross negligence' for failing to act on heatwaves, calling this summer's heat 'the greatest crisis this country has faced since the second world war.' Downing Street, meanwhile, defended the government's response, with the prime minister's official spokesperson saying: 'Our climate is changing. Droughts are becoming more common, which is why we're focused on both the immediate response and long-term resilience.'

England is on track to record its highest ever number of heat-related deaths this summer, following the UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) announcement that an estimated 2,877 people died during the May and June heatwaves. The UKHSA has updated heat health alerts for nine regions in England, warning that rising temperatures this week could increase health risks, especially for vulnerable groups. Amber alerts will be in place for Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, East Midlands, east of England, south-east, London, south-west, and north-west regions from 9am Tuesday to 9pm Friday, with the north-east under a yellow alert during the same period. Amber alerts indicate an increased likelihood of health impacts for those aged 65 and older and people with pre-existing conditions, though younger people aren't entirely off the hook.

The Environment Agency reported last month that reservoir storage had fallen to 7.4% below the average for this time of year, though it assured that water reserves 'should be enough for the coming months until the next period of sustained rainfall.' South East Water, however, said supplies in its area were 'critically low' and warned customers they might lose supply unless demand dropped. Even Chessington World of Adventures theme park in Surrey was forced to close on Monday due to a water outage in the area, working 'closely with Thames Water and local partners' for a 'safe and timely resolution.'

River Action's head of campaigns, Amy Fairman, called for an urgent review of abstraction licences - permits allowing water extraction from the environment - to understand 'what is essential.' According to River Action's analysis, there are 14,128 commercial abstraction licences across England and Wales, separate from those held by public water companies. While private water companies abstract over 6 trillion litres annually for public supply, commercial licences permit an additional 43 trillion litres each year across thousands of operators. Because that seems entirely sustainable.