By Eniola Amadu
Parts of England could face flooding this autumn even as the country continues to suffer severe drought, forecasters have warned.
The UK Met Office said heavy downpours capable of threatening lives and property are expected in the coming weeks.
However, experts noted that the rainfall is unlikely to reverse months of unusually dry weather that has left rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater dangerously low.
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Met Office chief meteorologist Will Lang explained that drought and flood risks can occur simultaneously.
“Those two things are not mutually exclusive. You can have heightened flood risk as well as drought conditions,” he said. “The current forecast for unsettled weather is unlikely to be enough to reverse the effects of drought over the next few weeks.”
Lang added that far more rainfall would be needed, especially in eastern England where conditions remain most severe, before the drought can be declared over.
The Environment Agency also warned that drought could worsen flooding. Caroline Douglass, its executive director for flooding, said parched soil acts like concrete, preventing water from soaking in and causing dangerous run-off into roads and urban areas.
“What we want is flowing, steady rain that wets things up nicely, not sudden heavy flood events,” she said. “There certainly is not an end to a drought yet.”
Government officials have stepped up preparations after the latest Met Office outlook suggested a higher chance of wetter-than-average conditions this autumn.
The government’s flood taskforce, set up last year after devastating floods killed 20 people and damaged thousands of homes, is due to meet to review measures. So far, it has rolled out tools such as Rapid Flood Guidance, a short-notice forecasting system for surface water flooding to support emergency responders.
Floods minister Emma Hardy said the government remained committed to protecting communities.
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“Since being established last year, our task force has helped ensure communities have the protection they need from the dangers of flooding,” she said.
Lang, however, warned that rainfall patterns will vary widely, with the west and north expected to be wetter, while parts of the south and east may remain drier than average.
