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In Pictures: Heatwave hosepipe ban harks back to 1976 drought

It has been one of the driest summers on record, but will 2018 go as far to match the drought of 1976?

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The current heatwave is believed to be the longest since 1976 when there were 15 consecutive days of temperatures reaching 32C or higher and many months without rainfall.

1976 was marked by standpipes in the streets, water rationing and the appointment of a Minster for Drought.

Here’s what Britain looked like back in that summer.

Staines Reservoirs
Normally holding 3,500 million gallons, Staines Reservoirs dropped down to 17 million gallons amid the heatwave (PA)
Standpipes
Residents across the country had to fill buckets from water standpipes in the street (PA)
Broad Oak
Drought-hit farmland at Broad Oak in Kent during August 1976 (PA)
1976 drought lookback
The River Thames at Teddington after Thames Water Authority back-pumped water at Molesey Weir (PA)
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