Severe Drought Turns London's Hyde Park into Desert

An extreme drought across central Europe in summer 2026 has left London's iconic Hyde Park with dramatically lowered water levels, turning its lakes and lawns into arid, desert‑like terrain. The park's Serpentine lake and surrounding grass have dried out after months of scant rainfall, marking the driest July on record since 1836 and prompting concerns over urban biodiversity and public recreation.

Similar conditions are evident in southern Germany, where the Sylvenstein Reservoir in Bavaria has seen its water surface recede sharply, exposing normally submerged land. The reservoir, a key source for regulating the Isar River and supplying water, is experiencing unprecedented low levels, highlighting the broader impact of the drought on water resources and flood control.

Authorities in the United Kingdom and Germany are evaluating emergency water‑conservation measures and irrigation strategies to protect remaining green spaces and maintain water supplies while awaiting the return of rain.