about has called for a COBRA meeting to discuss the impact of the extended heat wave on water supplies across the country.
Speaking on Saturday, Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner has called on the government to act amid fears the drought could last into next year.
With drought in eight regions, Ms. Rayner accused the government of “not planning for the future”.
She said: “This is the second major heat wave in weeks, but this Tory government is failing our country again. Conservative passivity on drought warnings creates a dust bowl in Britain.
“Instead of intervening, the ministers have fallen asleep in the midday sun. They are teaching the public about using garden hoses, but where is their plan to protect our vital water system?
“It’s been almost a year since they launched their National Resilience Strategy consultation and yet they don’t have any plan. They are all spider and no substance.”
Three water companies – Welsh Water, Southern Water and South East Water – have all imposed bans on garden hoses, while Yorkshire Water has announced a ban will come into effect on August 26 and Thames Water is planning one in the coming weeks.
Executive Director for Local Operations at the Environment Agency, John Curtin, warned the UK must have “weeks of rain” to replenish water supplies.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World At One, Mr Curtin said: “It’s mainly a signal that this isn’t a normal summer now, so water will be an issue and probably a problem for the coming months, depending on how the winter goes. . .”
He added: “It all depends on the weather I’m afraid. Heavy showers will fall next Monday, Tuesday.
“But please don’t think that will stop the drought because we’re talking about losing a week of rain and it’s going to be weeks of rain, we’re probably going to need average or slightly above average rain this fall into this winter so we can will not be in drought next year.”
Due to the high temperatures, the Met Office has an amber weather warning for large parts of the country, while in London it is expected to reach 34C on Saturday and Sunday.