Drought in the UK

Question 1

When and where did the drought happen?

Answer 1

• Happened in the UK (England and Wales)
• In 2012

Question 2

Cause of the drought - less rain

Answer 2

Unusual wind patterns had bought dry winds from Europe in the East rather than the usual wet winds blowing from the Atlantic in the west

Question 3

Cause of the drought - Warmer temperatures

Answer 3

Weather was warmer than usual so more water evaporated than usual

Question 4

Cause of the drought - Dry soils

Answer 4

Difficult for the rain that did fall to soak into the ground as the soil was dry and baked hard

Question 5

Cause of the drought - high water usage

Answer 5

People in the UK use large amounts of water
Massive amounts are used in industry and farming
1.7 billion litres are used everyday

Question 6

Consequences of the drought - Problems for farming

Answer 6

Water shortages meant no water for farms/lifestock
Made it difficult to harvest crops

Question 7

Consequences of the drought - Environmental damage

Answer 7

Dry areas caught fire easily
Wild fires raging across South Wales, Surrey and Scottish borders
River water was used to help but it damaged habitats and animals

Question 8

Consequences of the drought - Restrictions in homes

Answer 8

Hosepipe bans meant that 20 million werent allowed to wash their cars or water plants

Question 9

Responses to the drought

Answer 9

• Permits were granted to allow water companies to extract water from rivers
• Hosepipe bans to conserve water that was left
• Campaigns to get normal people to use less water at home