The agency said seven areas across central, eastern and southern England, including the Isle of Wight and Hampshire, are officially in drought. July is set to be the driest month on record, with England having just 7 per cent of expected rainfall, and southern England seeing just one per cent. Much of the country is now in a flash drought that has hit quickly despite a very wet winter. Richard O’Callaghan, environmental manager for the Environment Agency’s Solent and South Downs area, said: “Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are in drought. “Environmental pressures have only grown in response to high water demand and low rainfall, with a drought order expected shortly for the River Test.