The British government has announced the onset of a severe drought in several counties in southern and southwestern England — Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex, and West Sussex. The decision was made against the backdrop of prolonged rainfall deficit and declining water levels in the region's natural sources. In response to the situation, authorities have activated a plan to protect consumers, designed to mitigate the drought's impact on residents and businesses. This measure involves coordinating actions between government structures and utility services to ensure stable water supply and minimize disruptions for residents of affected areas. The declaration of severe drought status is part of the UK's climate risk response system and allows for the rapid deployment of additional mechanisms to monitor water resource consumption. Local authorities and utility companies are expected to intensify water supply monitoring and may introduce additional restrictions on water use should the situation worsen.