New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued the city’s first drought warning in 22 years on Monday, citing historically low rainfall and warm temperatures. City agencies are taking measures to conserve water, including limiting park fountain use, restricting lawn watering, repairing leaks, and reducing the frequency of vehicle and subway cleaning. “Our vehicles and subways may look dustier, but these steps help stave off a more serious drought emergency,” Adams said.
Officials are also reopening the Delaware Aqueduct, which supplies half the city’s water, to counter worsening conditions. Meanwhile, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide drought watch, with 15 counties under a drought warning. October’s dry weather has fueled droughts across the U.S., with 41% of Americans under drought watches, affecting 318 million acres of crops and increasing wildfire risks.
Central Park experienced its driest seven-week stretch on record since 1869, with only 0.19 inches of rainfall between Sept. 19 and Nov. 12. Brush fires in New York City have surged, with 229 incidents recorded in two weeks, and blazes along the New York-New Jersey border led to evacuations and the death of an 18-year-old firefighter. A statewide burn ban remains in effect.
Experts link these conditions to climate change, which intensifies extreme weather by disrupting precipitation patterns. Globally, 2024 is expected to be the warmest year on record, with temperatures surpassing critical thresholds. Adams emphasized the need for conservation efforts, stating, “While we cannot make it rain, we can reduce the risk of drought emergencies in our city.”
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