Drought in England is likely to last beyond Christmas, the official Environment Agency said on Monday, while adding more English counties into the list of drought zones.

The agency said in a statement that 17 counties in South West England and the Midlands have moved into official drought status, after two dry winters have left rivers and ground waters depleted. Counties in East England were also in an official drought.

After a drought during the last year, it was hoped a prolonged period of rainfall between October and March, known as the winter recharge period, would prevent widespread drought, but parts of England received less than 60 percent of the average winter rainfall, and water supplies have not been replenished.

While rain over the spring and summer will help water crops and gardens, it is unlikely to improve the underlying the drought situation. The Environment Agency is warning for a prospect of a third dry winter.

"A longer term drought, lasting until Christmas and perhaps beyond, now looks more likely," said Trevor Bishop, head of Water Resources at the Environment Agency.

"We are working with businesses, farmers and water companies to plan ahead to meet the challenges of a continued drought," he said.

Basic water supply in the drought zones has not been affected yet, but hosepipe bans were issued in a number of counties, which prohibit using a hosepipe to water garden, wash cars, and draw water for domestic recreational use.