Hottest June In UK Kills Fish, Threatens Insects

The hottest temperature experienced in the United Kingdom in June did not only bring discomfort to residents but also harmed fish and insects.

According to a BBC report, the extreme heat in UK caused death among fish and disturbed insects and plants. Citing environmental group the Wildlife Trusts, the report said that with this observations, nature has been pounded by extreme weather without a chance to recover.

"The reports of the number of fish death incidents in rivers for this time of year has been unprecedented. I would normally expect rivers to be affected later in the summer when it's hotter and drier," Mark Owen of the Angling Trust said.

Owen cited that sea trout were found dead on the River Wear in north-east England.

On the other hand, the Environment Agency said more reports of dead fish were received this year when compared to the number of incidents during the same period last year.

When it comes to plants and insects, the report said many flowering plants, including orchids, wilted in the high temperatures. This means insects, such as bees and butterflies that feed on nectar and pollen, will have less to eat, Ali Morse from the Wildlife Trusts said.

In relation to this, Morse explained that species with short lifespans are particularly badly affected because for example, many butterflies are adults for only a short period of time.

She noted that if they could not access food in that period, it stunts their population.

Water usage

Aside from the adverse effects to nature, the high temperature also resulted in people using more water in their residences.

Citing information from water experts, the report said rivers and reservoirs, which provide much of the UK's drinking water, are in a healthier position than the same time last year.

However, the hot weather is likely to have an adverse effect on water supplies as if this warm temperature persists, the water supply will immediately deplete.

Possible repeat of heatwave

Earlier, experts already warned about the high temperature as it urged the public to brace for a possible repeat of last year's record-breaking heatwave that triggered wildfires, disrupted rail transport, and closed schools.

In a report on The Guardian, senior Met Office adviser Mark Bevan said the prediction on the summer weather was calculated using a number of factors including the El Niño effect, the wind patterns, and sea surface temperatures.

The El Niño phenomenon is characterized by the abnormal warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean and below-normal rainfall.

The report said that according to the Office for National Statistics and the UK Health Security Agency, there had been 3,000 more deaths in England and Wales last year than what was usually expected during the summer season.

Meanwhile, a GB News report said the Met Office already disclosed that there were indications for "above-average temperatures are stronger" from July 12 to July 26.

The UK's national weather service warned that such meteorological changes would create and result in a "correspondingly higher likelihood" of heatwaves.