The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) has activated the Drought Committee as a preventive measure due to the increase in dry conditions in Puerto Rico, according to Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez. The committee's activation is a precautionary step, and the agency is preparing for potential water rationing, although it is not currently in effect.
Quiles Pérez explained that the protocol requires the Executive Committee to meet first, and once a quorum is reached, the Drought Committee is activated. The secretary noted that the embalses are currently in healthy conditions, but the main concern is the river intakes, which depend directly on precipitation.
According to the US Drought Monitor's latest report, 68.2% of Puerto Rico is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, 23.4% is under moderate drought, and 5.9% is under severe drought. The severe drought is affecting municipalities in the southern and southwestern parts of the island.