River levels across Wales are approaching all-time lows, with an "environmental drought" announcement expected imminently for parts of the country following weeks of extreme dry weather. Wales has received only around 5% of its average July rainfall after successive heatwaves and a drier-than-usual spring, prompting warnings from rivers trusts about wildlife deaths and from farming unions about failing crops and heat-stressed livestock. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said it was closely monitoring the situation, having already classed north and south-east Wales as being in "prolonged dry weather" status, a first step towards drought.

Rivers including the Clwyd, Alwen, Alyn, Clywedog, Dyfi, Conwy and Wye are running at exceptionally low levels, with extra water being released from reservoirs to bolster flows on the Clwyd, Wye, Severn and Dee. Water temperatures as high as 28C have been recorded in the Wye and Usk, raising concerns for aquatic life, while Afonydd Cymru said some rivers had already dried up completely and fish had died as a result. Officials urged the public to conserve water, such as by showering rather than bathing, though Afonydd Cymru's chief executive acknowledged that public frustration over water company sewage spills was making some people less receptive to this advice.