North Wales is officially declared to be in drought as exceptionally dry conditions persist. One report says rainfall totals for July so far are far below expectations, with the region receiving less than 2% of the rainfall typically expected for the month. The prolonged shortfall is reflected in low river flows, with water levels described as perilously low. The dry weather has also left parts of the landscape dried out. In response to the water pressure, hosepipe bans are in place, affecting households across a large portion of the country, with the reporting referring to widespread restrictions affecting millions of people in Britain. The combined measures aim to reduce household water use while water supplies and river levels remain under stress. The reports present the declaration and restrictions as linked to the ongoing rainfall deficit and its impact on natural water resources during the current summer period.