Driest February in England since 1993 signals drought ahead, say experts

With little rain forecast for spring and reservoirs still not refilled, drought could be worse than last year

The government risks sleepwalking into a catastrophic drought, experts have said, after England experienced an extremely dry February with very little rain forecast for spring.

Last year, most of England was plunged into drought conditions, with farmers struggling to plant and harvest crops, and hosepipe bans in action across the country. Water companies were preparing to take drastic action, including banning the filling of public swimming pools and cleaning non-domestic buildings.