Rain from tropical waves last week slightly eased Puerto Rico’s extreme drought, according to a U.S. Drought Monitor report published Thursday. Extreme drought coverage fell from 39.49% to 37.14% of the island’s territory, though more rain is needed in the northeast and the central-to-south coastal strip. The Carraízo reservoir reached a 'safety' level, reducing the risk of a return to rationing like that experienced in August by 183,000 customers served by the reservoir.
The La Plata reservoir remains the only one at a worse level, under operational adjustments. Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) President Luis Reinaldo González Delgado said no scheduled service interruptions are currently planned for La Plata customers, noting the utility is closely monitoring reservoir levels, capping daytime La Plata pumping at 70 million gallons, shutting down a pumping unit overnight when consumption drops, and adjusting network pressures to preserve water in key parts of the system.
Meanwhile, lesser drought categories saw minimal change, with severe drought rising from 18.29% to 20.05% as it absorbed the area downgraded from extreme drought.