英国面临自1976年以来最为严重的干旱 - By Tamara Cohen，16 April 2012

• More than 35million people now living in drought zone
• Another 17 counties officially designated as 'water-stressed'
• That area is largest suffering water shortage since 1976
• River Severn may completely dry up in places by the summer
• Communities forced to pull out of Britain in Bloom contest
• Drought could last until after Christmas in parts of England

More than 35million people are now living in the drought zone which is engulfing England.

Another 17 counties in the South West and the Midlands will be officially designated as 'water-stressed' today - the largest area suffering a water shortage since 1976.

Although the hosepipe ban currently in force for 20million people has not yet been extended, contingency plans are being drawn up as the Environment Agency confirmed the drought is likely to last until Christmas.

Running near empty: Isla Stanton, five, paddles in the depleted Bewl Water Reservoir near Lamberhurst, Kent. More than 35million people are now living in the drought zone which is engulfing England

Worst water shortage since 1976: The half-full Bewl reservoir is holding just 50 per cent of its capacity as opposed to the 90 per cent it would normally hold at this time of year

Officials are concerned that a third dry winter this year could be a tipping point and trigger restrictions for businesses or even further restrictions in homes for the first time in 36 years.

The restrictions are embarrassing for the Government which is showcasing Britain during this year's Olympics and the Queen's Jubilee. 

Parks are included in the hosepipe ban and London’s iconic fountains will be turned off.

The River Severn - Britain’s longest river - may completely dry up in places by the summer, with disastrous consequences for plants, wildlife and fish stocks.

A section near Ironbridge in Shropshire is already causing concern - just 50 miles from Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire where the Severn burst its banks, deluging dozens of homes back in 2007.

Despite the poor outlook, the Severn Trent water company, which serves eight million customers, has no plans for a hosepipe ban due to operating an internal ‘water grid’ to move water from the wetter west of the region to the drier east.

Scorched earth: Officials fear a third dry winter this year could be a tipping point and trigger restrictions for businesses or even further restrictions in homes for the first time in 36 years

A burst water main floods a street in Cambridge last week. The Environment Agency has called on businesses to save water through efficiency and fixing leaks

And yesterday it emerged communities are pulling out of the Britain in Bloom contest - a source of civic pride for around 2,000 towns and villages every year.

Thousands of bulbs which have been ordered and paid for by local committees may not even be planted due to the arid conditions, which are already taking their tolls on farmers and the environment.

Local councils are said to be holding crisis talks with the Environment Agency and water companies to devise ways to irrigate public flowerbeds and hanging baskets - which is normally carried out by volunteers.

North Norfolk District Council – in one of the worst-hit drought areas - is facing the prospect of planting 30,000 flowers in June which cannot be cancelled even though campaigners warn they will wither and die.

Joan Thame, chairman of the In Bloom committee in Sheringham, Norfolk say they have already abandoned plans for colourful baskets this year as they cannot be filled using water bowsers filled from the mains.

Bulpham in Bloom in East Anglia which won a silver gilt award at Royal Horticulture Society finals in 2010, and gold two years running for Anglia in Bloom, is considering pulling out altogether.

Worry: The River Severn - Britain's longest river - may completely dry up in places by the summer, with disastrous consequences for plants, wildlife and fish stocks

Long, hot summer: A resident in St John's Wood, London, carries water from a Thames Water Emergency Water Supply tanker in 1976

How things stand: More than 17 counties in the South West and the Midlands, affecting more than 35million people, are now officially designated as 'water-stressed'

Several towns including Horsham in West Sussex, are reducing their hanging baskets, while in Colchester, Essex, the situation is so desperate, the group has appealed for residents to donate water.

Swindon Council which ordered ￡10,000 worth of bedding plants, has decided not to plant them, and is hoping to sell or swap them for drought resistant varieties.

The drought zone now includes Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, some of Hampshire and Wiltshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and the West Midlands.

In March, the Environment Agency rescued fish from the River Lathkill in Derbyshire after it dried up, and the Rivers Tern, Sow, Soar and Leadon reached their lowest ever recorded levels.

In the South West, chalk streams such as the Hampshire Avon and the Dorset Stour which support rare trout and salmon are exceptionally low.

The drought comes after two years of chronically low rainfall. From October and March – known as the winter recharge period when reservoirs fill up – parts of England received less than 60 per cent of the average winter rainfall.

Trevor Bishop, Head of Water Resources at the Environment Agency, said:  ‘A longer term drought, lasting until Christmas and perhaps beyond, now looks more likely – and we are working with businesses, farmers and water companies to plan ahead to meet the challenges of a continued drought.

‘While we’ve had some welcome rain recently, the problem has not gone away, and we would urge everyone – right across the country – to use water wisely now, which will help to prevent more serious impacts next year.’

The Environment Agency last week called on businesses to save water through efficiency and fixing leaks. Water companies to address leaks which lose enough water for 20million people a day.

Martin Spray, chief executive of the Wetland Wildlife Trust at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire, which is now in drought, said the lack of water would have consequences for the rare wading birds at their site who rely on wet, muddy grassland for their habitats and to feed their chicks.

He said: ‘We’ve concentrated water where it is most effective and made the most of every drop, but even so the effects are starting to bite.

‘We want people to make the connection between the water they use in their homes and gardens and the amount and quality of water for wildlife.'

WHICH COUNTIES ARE AFFECTED?

The drought zone now includes Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, some of Hampshire and Wiltshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and the West Midlands.