Rutland Water has dropped low enough to reveal the remains of Nether Hambleton, where stonework and foundations have resurfaced as dry weather keeps reservoir levels under pressure. The exposed village was flooded in the 1970s when the reservoir was created to meet the growing water needs of the East Midlands.
Residents of Nether Hambleton were moved to surrounding areas when the reservoir was built. At the time, Rutland Water covered more than 3,000 acres and became Europe's largest man-made lake, with the reservoir creation finished in 1976 and flooding taking a further three years.
Tony Grayling on Monday
Tony Grayling, the Strategic Drought Lead at the Environment Agency and chair of the National Drought Group, said on Monday: "Drought conditions are worsening and will continue to do so until we see significant and sustained rainfall." His warning came as England reservoir levels fell 16 per cent during July and the Environment Agency said 71.3 per cent of England is experiencing a flash drought.
England and Wales drought
Round the country, around three-quarters of England and the entirety of Wales are now under official drought conditions. The East Midlands has had below-average rainfall for five consecutive months, and July was the driest on record in the region.
Rainfall totals for July were exceptionally low across all English regions, with the south-east at just one per cent of the expected average. Parts of Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and West Sussex had not seen rain for around two months, while the UK was braced for the fifth heatwave of the year and temperatures in some areas were forecast by the Met Office to reach the mid-30s again this week.
Rutland Water this week
Forecasters said rain over the weekend was expected, but not enough for water levels to recoup. That leaves the exposed remains of Nether Hambleton visible for now, a rare look at a village that disappeared more than 50 years ago and may stay on show until significant and sustained rainfall reaches Rutland Water.
