The National Farmers Union of England and Wales (NFU) says farmers have developed dry summer emergency plans, including exchanging water with each other.

Good growing conditions during winter and early spring have led to an increase in yield, which potentially means that more controlled irrigation is needed at a time when rainfall is expected to decrease.

According to the National Union of Farmers, this will entail concern "in all directions", since the production of valuable fruits and vegetables, agriculture and animal husbandry "are affected by precipitation and temperature."

In its monthly hydrological report for March, the National River Runoff Archive, which collects data on river runoff in the UK, says groundwater levels were below normal in Central and East Anglia, especially East England.

The report also states that lower levels emphasize the need for additional rainfall. As a result of the small amount of precipitation in April in Yorkshire, the Environmental Protection Agency completely halted water intake on some rivers.

Paul Hammett, a national water specialist at the NFU, said that such restrictions are introduced at the beginning of the year rather unusual and that this step is "worrying."