Official drought declared after 15 days of no rain

Jersey is officially in drought after fifteen days without rain.

Jersey Met said it had not recorded any rain at its Maison St Louis Observatory in St Saviour since 27 July and it has predicted only a 5% chance of rain for Saturday and Sunday.

In the UK, drought officials said on Monday that 71.3% of England was now in drought, after the nation recorded its driest July since records began in 1836.

Temperatures are also expected to rise this week with 34C (93.2F) forecast for the island on Wednesday.

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Last week, Jersey Water said the island was still "some way off" a hosepipe ban with reservoirs nearly three-quarters full, but it reminded people to continue to save water where possible.

It added preparations to start using its desalination plant at Corbiere, which turns sea water into drinking water, were under way.

The longest drought recorded in Jersey lasted 39 days and took place in 1976.

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More than two-thirds of England now in drought

Heat alert for South West raised to amber

Plans to use desalination plant under way