Almost 43 million people were placed on red alerts in eight northeastern US states. The situation is serious fire hazard sustained by continuing droughts.
Forecasters warn that low air humidity of about 20 percent and wind gusts reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h can only accelerate the spread of fires.
According to ABC News, the situation will continue for another week. No measurable rainfall is forecast in the coming days in the region covered by the alerts – this is expected to increase the drought from moderate to extreme.
Drought in the USA. New York authorities urged people to save water
NBC New York, reported that authorities New York are concerned about the low water level in reservoirs. Months of low rainfall led to this. Mayor Eric Adams issued a drought warning in November and urged city residents to save water by taking shorter showers and fixing leaking taps.
– Overall, we're concerned about the system… The New York City system is currently 63 percent efficient. Normally it would be about 79%. However, there are inflows into the reservoir system close to record low values said Paul Rush, an employee of the city's Department of Environmental Protection. He added that the system needs a “significant dose of rain” quickly.
United States alerts. The tanks are more than half empty
The drought came as an aqueduct in the northern part of the state was temporarily closed for renovation work. Actuator Delawarewhich normally supplies more than half of the city's water, was drained as part of the worth two billion dollars project aimed at solving the problem of leaks – explained the television.
“There is a possibility that we will stop work and restart the aqueduct to restore full access to the entire water supply given the current very, very dry conditions,” Rush said.
As the American media note, the bad situation does not concern only this reservoir. IN Schoharie Reservoir the water level was less than a third of its capacity this week. A similar situation was observed in the mountains Catskill at the tank Ashokan.
Source: ABC News, NBC New York