Reservoirs around the city, including Ashokan Reservoir, are typically 79% full at this time of the year but are currently at 60% capacity|Tom Burke|CC BY-NC 2.0

New York City Mayor Eric Adams elevated the area’s drought watch to a drought warning yesterday as the region grapples with historically low rains that have reduced reservoir levels.

The drought warning also includes 10 other NYC counties.

It requires no restrictions, but city officials have urged residents to conserve water voluntarily by limiting shower times and only running full loads on appliances. The last such warning was issued in 2002.

Reservoirs around the city, including Ashokan Reservoir, are typically 79% full at this time of the year but are currently at 60% capacity.

Due to dry conditions, New York and New Jersey have been battling nearly 300 brush fires since last month. Fighting them also requires water.