General · 9 hours ago

London's clay ground will take ages to recover from drought

Around 80% of London's ground is clay, which has shrunk and cracked after a record-dry July. Geotechnical engineers say prolonged, steady rain is needed for it to fully recover, not just downpours. Clay dryness can cause subsidence, potentially damaging properties constructed from the post-war period through the 1980s.

By BriefTea Editorial · 30 August 2026 at 11:16

Reported by BBC · How we write briefs