Dánica Coto, Associated Press
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The U.S. government announced a drought disaster on Wednesday for more than two dozen cities and towns in Puerto Rico as water issues worsen across the U.S. Caribbean territory, with no immediate relief expected.
More than 33% of Puerto Rico is experiencing extreme drought, while another 30% is under severe drought conditions. July marked the driest month on record for San Juan in over 120 years and the second hottest month for the capital.
Governor Jenniffer González stated that she had formally requested the declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture more than two weeks prior. The declaration encompasses 26 of Puerto Rico's 78 municipalities, including Cabo Rojo, Ponce, Yauco, Aibonito, and Lares.
This disaster declaration enables farmers and agricultural producers in the affected regions to access emergency loans. "This is an important step," said Puerto Rico Agriculture Secretary Irving Rodríguez. He urged all producers impacted by the drought to document their losses.
Naia Seda, a farmer with a 15-acre (six-hectare) farm growing avocados, plantains, lemons, cassava, and other crops, expressed concern over the lack of rain since April. Her farm has developed cracks several feet deep. "I've never seen something like this on my farm," she remarked.
Seda noted that her crops are wilting and fruits are falling prematurely due to the ongoing heat. The irrigation canal serving her farm and 300 others in the southwestern municipality of Lajas has reduced water supply from three times a week in June to once a week.
The prolonged dry conditions have led many farmers to stop production as early as May, according to Fello Pérez, a technical assistance provider for RAFI, a nonprofit organization serving small- to midscale farmers. Pérez indicated that farmers engaged in hydroponics and soil cultivation are among the hardest hit, with fruits like coffee and plantains dropping prematurely due to insufficient water.
Animal breeders are also affected, struggling to feed livestock, leading to the sale of young bulls at low prices without buyers due to the drought. Farmers have reported financial losses since May, with one individual returning to work as a mechanic to support himself.
In response to the ongoing drought, Puerto Rico's governor declared a state of emergency in late July and activated the National Guard to assist with water distribution and purification. In early August, water rationing measures were announced for certain neighborhoods in San Juan and six other cities, affecting over 180,000 customers who experience water outages for 48 hours at a time on a rotating schedule. Large trucks are delivering water, prioritizing hospitals and residences for elderly individuals.
Meteorologists attribute the ongoing drought to a natural warming cycle known as El Niño, which has also impacted the U.S. Virgin Islands. Earlier this month, the U.S. government declared a drought disaster for St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, which are also experiencing extreme drought conditions.
In addition to the drought, Puerto Rico faces challenges related to aging water infrastructure, with thousands of residents experiencing water shortages and pressure changes for up to a year. San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero filed a lawsuit against the island's Water and Sewer Authority in late May, acknowledging the agency's infrastructure has suffered from inadequate investment and maintenance for decades. Water rationing measures were previously implemented in 2020 and 2015, affecting around 400,000 utility customers who received water only every third day.