The U.S. Drought Monitor reported Thursday that extreme drought conditions have significantly worsened across Puerto Rico, now affecting 34 municipalities compared to about 20 the previous week. The area under extreme drought jumped from 17.02% to 33.31% of the island’s territory in just one week. The federal agency noted persistent dry conditions, record-low river flows, and continued water service restrictions in some areas.
Extreme drought now affects both the eastern region and southwestern coast, including Vieques and Culebra. Effects described include scarce livestock feed, withering crops, disrupted daily life and school schedules, business closures, potential mosquito-borne disease outbreaks, expanded water rationing, water trucking, poor water quality, and shrinking aquifers. The next, most severe stage—exceptional drought—currently affects the neighboring U.S. Virgin Islands.
In Puerto Rico, extreme drought spans the southern coast from Cabo Rojo to Guayama, mountain towns like Cayey and Cidra, and eastern towns including Yabucoa, Aguas Buenas, Humacao, Fajardo, San Juan, Trujillo Alto, and Canóvanas. Loíza remains under moderate drought, which now covers 29.55% of the island, mainly in mountain and north-central areas. Towns near the west, such as Arecibo, Hatillo, Camuy, Quebradillas, and parts of Adjuntas and Utuado, are under abnormally dry conditions, the mildest category. The northwest and west remain drought-free.