The Environment Agency declared severe drought in parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex on Thursday.

The move came after months of low rainfall and the driest April to September period in more than a century, which left major reservoirs at exceptionally low levels. Wimbleball Reservoir in Somerset stood at 14.9 percent capacity, while Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex was at 19.4 percent full. Other reservoirs in the region, including Roadford, Burrator, Colliford and Stithians, also showed significantly reduced storage.

The declaration marks the highest drought status and follows similar action in Yorkshire last week. All of England except the North West and North East now faces drought conditions. The hottest summer on record drove high water demand that outpaced supply in the affected areas.

Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said the government is stepping up support and planning. Officials instructed water companies to increase daily monitoring of reservoirs and rivers while the Environment Agency will conduct more compliance checks on water abstractions by businesses.

Public water supplies remain uninterrupted, though the government urged households and businesses to use water wisely. The Environment Agency noted that 120 percent of average rainfall over the next six months would be needed in some areas to restore normal levels.

This represents the first severe drought declaration in parts of England since 1995. The National Drought Group reviewed conditions before the announcement, which aims to safeguard supplies through proactive measures before any disruption occurs.

Further dry weather is forecast for the rest of October, adding pressure on already strained resources in the south.