WEATHER WARNING: UK heatwave to turn lakes into 'FISH SOUP' says expert in SHOCK alert
BRITAIN'S scorching weather has sparked warnings that rivers in the south-east could completely dry up within just a month.
Weather forecast: Temperatures to continue soaring across UK
Hundreds of fish were suffocated yesterday as an entire lake in Didcot, Oxfordshire was turned into "fish soup" due to the heat.
And expert biologist John Ellis, of the Canal & River Trust, warned further fish could die as the UK's heatwave continues.
He said he sees reports of fish being suffocated by algae "several times" per year in the UK.
But he fears the number will rise because of global warming.
Hot weather will obviously make algae grow more quickly
He said: "Hot weather will obviously make algae grow more quickly.
"It speeds up biological processes so you are more likely to see its impact in prolonged spells of hot weather.
"We've probably had more higher mean temperatures in the last 30 or 40 years than we've had in the last 100.
"Global warming is coming into that to some extent."
Today is the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures peaking at 86.3F (30.2C) at Hawarden Airport in Wales.
And the heatwave shows no signs of abating, with the mercury set to rise to a scorching 91.4F (33C) later this the week.
Blue-green algae is naturally occurring, usually during periods of warm weather.
Shocked locals in Didcot called the Environment Agency after spotting the dead fish in Ladygrove Lakes.
Toxins produced by the algae can can nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and skin rashes in humans.
The lakes have been closed by Didcot Town Council until further notice.
Mr Ellis added: "It is the worst possible conditions for fish particularly those that are adapted to live in cooler climates.
"As the water temperatures increase fish become more active but water holds less oxygen as it gets warmer.
"I do have concerns because it shows that we are not as a nation or as a human family managing the environment sustainably.
"It would not surprise me if we get another month of this weather, that the Environment Agency will have to rescue fish on rivers which have dried up in the south-east of England."
The Environment Agency tweeted: "We responded to reports of a fish kill in Didcot today.
"Hot sunny weather increases the risk of algal blooms like this one."