Amber Heat Alerts Begin in England as Fifth Heatwave Nears

Amber heat health alerts have come into force across England this morning, as the country prepares for its fifth heatwave of the summer.

The warning comes just one day after officials confirmed that 11 regions across England are now officially in drought. A drought happens when an area has much less rain than usual over a long period of time.

Health experts say the rising number of heatwaves this summer is linked to the climate crisis, which is causing global temperatures to increase and extreme weather to become more common.

An amber alert is a serious warning issued by health authorities. It means that hot weather could affect the health of people across the population, not only those who are already vulnerable.

Groups most at risk during a heatwave include elderly people, young children, and those with existing health conditions. Officials are urging the public to take simple precautions during the hot weather.

These include drinking plenty of water, avoiding strong sunlight in the middle of the day, and checking on neighbours or relatives who may struggle to cope with the heat.

The Met Office, the UK's national weather service, has also issued separate warnings about high temperatures affecting parts of the country in the coming days.

With drought conditions already declared in several regions, authorities are also concerned about the impact of continued dry weather on water supplies and agriculture.