LONDON (Reuters) – England and Wales experienced their driest July on record, the Met Office said on Monday, citing provisional data._x000D_
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The UK — which comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — received just 35% of average July rainfall, making it the driest July nationally â since 1868._x000D_
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Southern England saw its driest month ever recorded in a series dating back to 1836._x000D_
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England and Wales also had their sunniest month ever in July._x000D_
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Multiple heatwaves have contributed to drought conditions affecting the whole of Wales and around half of â England._x000D_
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Temperatures have already hit new records for May and June in some parts of the country this year._x000D_
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An estimated 2,877 people in Britain have â died from heat-related causes so far this year._x000D_
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“The combination of record-breaking dryness, exceptional warmth and â unprecedented sunshine has delivered one of the most notable summer months in â our historical records,” Met Office Science Manager Amy Doherty said in a statement.
