North Wales has been officially declared to be in drought, becoming the latest area to receive the designation after months of unusually dry weather across the UK. The move places restrictions on water use in the region and comes as around 23 million people across Britain are already living under hosepipe bans imposed by various water companies, reflecting how widespread the impact of the prolonged dry spell has become.

The declaration follows record-breaking dry conditions that have depleted reservoirs and rivers, prompting authorities to escalate their response to protect water supplies. Hosepipe bans affecting tens of millions of customers span multiple water companies, underscoring the scale of the shortage, while officials continue to monitor rainfall levels and may extend drought status to further areas if conditions persist.