US Declares Drought Disaster for Dozens of Puerto Rico Towns Amid Severe Water Crisis
The U.S. government declared a drought disaster for more than two dozen cities and towns in Puerto Rico, according to federal announcements, as severe water shortages and dry conditions deepen across the territory with no immediate relief in sight.
Federal Disaster Declaration Opens Emergency Funding for Farmers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture formally designated 26 of Puerto Rico’s 78 municipalities under a drought disaster, according to updates reported by AP News. The designation covers hard-hit communities including Cabo Rojo, Ponce, Yauco, Aibonito, and Lares.
Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González stated that her administration formally requested the declaration more than two weeks prior. Puerto Rico Agriculture Secretary Irving Rodríguez urged all affected agricultural producers to document their losses to access the newly available emergency loans.
Severe Dryness Metrics Across the Caribbean Territory
Data from Drought.gov indicates that more than 33% of Puerto Rico is currently experiencing extreme drought, while another 30% battles severe drought conditions.
Rainfall deficits remain widespread. Most regions received less than 60% of normal precipitation over a 60-day tracking window, while southern and southwestern sectors recorded under 20% of typical rainfall. In towns like Canóvanas, producers reported cracked soils, premature fruit loss for breadfruit and avocados, and wilting young banana plants.
Agricultural Strain and Water Rationing Measures
Fello Pérez, a technical assistance provider for the nonprofit organization RAFI serving small- and midscale farmers, noted that producers have faced severe operational halts since May. Farmers cultivating hydroponic crops, vegetables, coffee, cacao, plantains, and bananas have seen produce fall prematurely from stressed plants.
Beyond agricultural impacts, crumbling municipal infrastructure has worsened the water crisis. Governor González declared a state of emergency in late July, deploying the National Guard to transport, distribute, and purify water. In early August, authorities implemented rotating water rationing schedules affecting more than 180,000 customers in San Juan and six surrounding cities, leaving households and businesses without water for 48-hour blocks.
Infrastructure Vulnerabilities and Legal Challenges
The intensifying dry spell collides with decades of underinvestment in local water infrastructure. San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero filed a lawsuit against the island’s Water and Sewer Authority in late May due to chronic water shortages and pressure drops unrelated to the drought.
Virgin Islands. The federal government previously declared an extreme drought disaster for St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix.