IS WALES IN DROUGHT MODE YET?
RIVERS across Wales are showing much lower water levels after two months of low rainfall and soaring temperatures.
Data from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) reveals several rivers across the country are close to falling below record lows set in previous dry summers.
Experts have warned that if the current hot spell continues water quality and the environment “will suffer”.
Latest figures provided on Monday show river flow for 54 rivers across Wales, which refers to how much water moves per second, and is a more accurate measure than water depth. All of the figures refer to how much of a cubic metre of water per second is flowing.
Hydrologist technical specialist for NRW Owain Sheppard said: “The current spell of prolonged dry weather has had an adverse effect on rivers and streams in Wales and there are concerns that if it continues throughout the summer water quality and the environment will suffer.
“Alongside recent exceptionally high temperatures, the country has experienced two months of low rainfall which has also affected river flows.
“Flows offer an accurate way of measuring the how much water is in our rivers and are used to provide an accurate comparison with the current situation and previous spells of dry weather.
“While we are experiencing low flows, no Welsh rivers have yet fallen below the record lows set in previous dry summers.”
Meanwhile, water is being siphoned from a Welsh reservoir to meet increased demand in the north-west of England.
The move has been taken by United Utilities, the water company that manages water supply to Cumbria, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and the Merseyside, following a “massive increase” in demand for water.
The company said water is being drawn from Lake Vyrnwy, a reservoir in Powys, as well as supplies in the Lake District and the Pennines.
United Utilities said demand in the area has increased by an additional half a billion litres a day – which is 25% more than usual.
A spokesman said the water supplier was struggling to process water quickly enough to meet the high demand, while parts of Wayoh Reservoir, near Bolton, have completely dried up.
The company said a hosepipe ban in the north-west of England area “could be imminent” if demand for water does not decrease.
United Utilities has previously reported a “massive increase” in water consumption due to the weather, as sprinklers are used to cool gardens, children’s paddling pools are dusted off and firefighters tap into the network to douse scorched Saddleworth Moor and Winter Hill in a bid to quell persistent wildfire.
Isolated showers are possible tomorrow but they may only be in the south-east of England. Temperatures, which reached 25°C in Cardiff yesterday, are forecast to continue to hover around the mid 20°Cs.
For rail travellers, the hot weather has proved difficult. Some people have even described scenes of people fainting on trains, while one woman claims she scalded her arm on the wall of a train because it was so hot and crowded on board yesterday’s 8.15am from Cardiff Central to Barry.
Reporter Tyler Mears took a thermometer on a Valleys line train at evening rush hour from Cardiff Central to Treherbet on Monday and found that it reached 32°C by the city’s Cathays station and 36°C at Ystrad at 6pm.
Bethan Jelfs, Customer Services Director for Arriva Trains Wales, said: “We appreciate that this summer has been exceptionally hot and we appreciate that some train journeys can become uncomfortable, particularly at peak times.
“We have been giving out bottles of water to customers on the Valley lines from Platforms 6 and 7.
“Our guards and conductors will be keeping windows open and our social media team are encouraging customers to make provision for the temperatures wherever possible.
“If any customer does feel unwell they should let our train crew or station colleagues know as soon as possible and we will do all we can to look after them.
“We welcome the recent announcement regarding new rolling stock for the Wales and Borders rail service, which will mean a significant improvement in the on-board experience for customers during warm weather.”
Cardiff Community Pharmacist, Raj Aggarwal, says his advice to commuters would be to follow the National Pharmacy Association heatwave guidance.
This includes standing or sitting in a cool place, making sure you’re hydrated, spraying your skin with cool water, using a fan and putting cold packs around your neck and armpits.
Dr Aggarwal also says people should try and wear loose fitted clothing, avoid excess alcohol consumption and to speak to a pharmacist if they have any concerns.