San Francisco, July 9 (TIWN) California Governor Gavin Newsom has decided to ad more counties to the state's drought emergency declaration as a new heatwave is scorching much of the western US.

Newsom on Thursday declared the new emergency order for nine more counties during a press conference held in front of a drying lake in San Luis Obispo County on the Central Coast of California, making the drought official in 50 of the state’s 58 counties, reports Xinhua news agency.  The Governor said about 42 per cent of California’s population now are in counties that will fall under the guidelines and requirements set for a drought emergency.  The Golden State is home to over 40 million residents.  Newsom urged residents to voluntarily reduce water consumption.