Flash floods and thunderstorms wreak havoc across Britain as water firms warn of hosepipe restrictions until Christmas

BRITAIN was drenched by downpours as flash floods and thunderstorms wreaked havoc. But water bosses warned the long-awaited deluge would do nothing to ease the worst drought for 50 years. Racegoers get wet on Ladies Day at York’s Ebor FestivalCredit: Refer to source Brollies were out in London’s rainy Trafalgar Square Credit: i-Images Thames Water said its hosepipe ban would likely last until at least the end of the year. The nation’s largest water company serves more than ten million customers across London and the Thames Valley. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! It said back-to-back heatwaves and barely a drop of rain for weeks had sparked an unprecedented surge in demand. Its customers used around 100 million litres more water than normal each day during last month’s scorcher. Boss Nevil Muncaster said the firm would have to extend current restrictions in order to “protect the environment”. Other water firms are expected to make similar announcements in the coming days and weeks. Mr Muncaster said: “The Environment Agency forecast is that it will be drier than normal for the next few months, but we’ll wait and see. “At the same time, we’re going to make sure we protect the environment, make sure we see our ground flow and river flow restored. Most read in The Sun Downpours disrupt traffic on the M6 in Cumbria Credit: Getty Umbrellas go up as rain delays the Test Match in Leeds Credit: PA “I think realistically it’s going to be towards the end of the year before that comes off.” Thames Water is currently among 11 firms that have imposed hosepipe bans restricting more than 27million customers nationwide. Yesterday’s rainfall was a welcome relief after the driest July since records began 190 years ago. Vast swathes of the nation have been parched by the hot weather. But racegoers at York’s Ebor Festival took shelter under brollies. Cricket fans also took cover as the weather held up play on Day Two of the First Test against Pakistan at Headingley in Leeds. Meanwhile, motorists on the M6 in Cumbria endured driving rain. And shoppers and tourists at London’s Trafalgar Square hurried through showers. Morecambe, Lancs, had more than two inches of rain in 24 hours. The Met Office said it would be dry for most this weekend before a return to showers next week. The downpours arrived with three-quarters of England officially in drought. Some places have gone without a drop for two months and July was southern England’s driest month on record. Comment now