LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — More than 70 per cent of England is in drought, the United Kingdom (UK) Government said Monday, after the nation experienced its driest July on record, with a fifth heatwave and scant rain forecast for the week ahead.

Parks and fields which are usually green at this point in the year were parched and yellow, according to AFP photos, as river levels dwindled and farmers battling low crop yields warned of possible food shortages.

“Almost three-quarters of England is now in drought as conditions worsen following a dry start to August,” the environment department said, as parts of the central Midlands and north-east England joined other areas of the country experiencing prolonged dry weather.