Facing a historic shortage of rainfall, state officials elevated New York City’s five boroughs and 10 other counties to a drought warning. They also declared a drought watch for the remainder of the state.

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1. Facing a historic shortage of rainfall, state officials elevated New York City’s five boroughs and 10 other counties to a drought warning. They also declared a drought watch for the remainder of the state.

   The move will require state and municipal agencies to implement water-saving measures, but it will not impose water use restrictions on the public.

   Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams announced the update in a joint press release.

   A drought warning is one step before a drought emergency, which would force New Yorkers to conserve water through sanctions and fines. A drought watch, now in place for the remainder of the state, is the first water conservation declaration that comes during prolonged dry periods. New York City had already been under a drought watch since Nov. 2.

   Adams also on Monday ordered the city to cancel a repair project of the Delaware aqueduct in the Catskills so that officials could reopen the tunnel and allow the much-needed water supply to reach city residents.

   The city’s reservoirs are currently at around 60% capacity, well below the 79% level considered normal around this time of year, according to city officials.

   “I want to be clear on this: This is not normal,” the mayor said during a press conference at the city’s emergency management headquarters. “I’m pretty sure if you are outside, you may be enjoying the beautiful weather in November. But the reality is, climate change is real and it’s impacting our city.”

   The news comes as the FDNY announced it was launching its first-ever Brush Fire Task Force to address the surge in brush fires fueled by historically dry conditions.

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