- U.S. government declares a drought disaster for 26 municipalities in Puerto Rico as water woes deepen across the territory, with no relief in sight.
- More than 33% of Puerto Rico is under extreme drought, and another 30% is under severe drought.
- July was the driest month on record for San Juan in over 120 years and the second hottest for the island's capital.
- Governor Jenniffer González declared a state of emergency in late July due to persistent dry conditions and activated the National Guard to assist with water distribution.
- Water rationing measures were announced in San Juan and six other cities in early August, affecting more than 180,000 customers.
- Farmers began halting production as early as May due to the persistent dry conditions affecting their crops.
- San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero filed a lawsuit against the Water and Sewer Authority in late May over infrastructure issues, highlighting the lack of investment and maintenance.
The U.S. government has declared a drought disaster for 26 municipalities in Puerto Rico as the island grapples with severe water shortages. Over 33% of Puerto Rico is under extreme drought, with another 30% facing severe conditions.
San Juan experienced its driest July in over 120 years, exacerbating the crisis. Governor Jenniffer González had requested the declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which now allows farmers to access emergency loans.4
Naia Seda, a farmer with a 15-acre farm, reported that it hasn't rained since April, leading to severe crop damage. “I’ve never seen something like this on my farm,” she lamented, as her crops shriveled and fruits fell prematurely.
The drought has forced many farmers to halt production, with Fello Pérez noting that those growing fruits and vegetables are particularly affected.
In response to the crisis, the governor declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard to assist with water distribution.
Currently, over 180,000 customers are experiencing water shortages, receiving water only on a rotating schedule. Meteorologists attribute the ongoing drought to a natural warming cycle impacting the region.
“More than 33% of Puerto Rico is under extreme drought, with another 30% in severe drought. The declaration allows farmers to access emergency loans, but many have already halted production since May, and over 180,000 customers face rotating 48-hour water outages.”
AP News
