'I can't make it rain': Water minister Emma Hardy faces MPs as severe drought is declared across southern England

Severe drought has been declared across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex following what the Environment Agency describes as the driest period in more than a hundred years. Emma Hardy, the water and flooding minister, told the House of Commons the conditions are "something we have not experienced for decades" and called on the public to use water carefully over the coming weeks. The government maintains that supplies will not be cut off, but says the declaration is designed to trigger precautionary measures before any disruption arises.

Hardy cautioned that, without intervention, severe drought conditions could become "the new normal" across southern England.

The Environment Agency made the severe drought declaration for the six counties on Thursday, following months of abnormally low rainfall and declining reservoir levels.

Hardy was blunt with MPs: 'I can't make it rain' — as critics questioned whether the government should have acted sooner.