Puerto Rico imposes water rationing as drought intensifies
The U.S. government on Thursday declared a drought disaster in the U.S. Virgin Islands, unlocking federal emergency loans for farmers and agricultural producers across the territory as all three of its islands endure extreme drought conditions.
The declaration came at the request of Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., who sought the federal designation earlier this month. The U.S. Drought Monitor currently classifies St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix as all experiencing extreme drought, with no relief in sight.
“Our farmers are essential to our food security, our economy and our way of life,” Bryan said in a statement announcing the declaration.
The disaster designation allows farmers and agricultural producers to apply for federal emergency loans.
“This declaration does not make the drought disappear, but it gives our farmers another tool to withstand its effects,” he said.
The drought extends beyond the Virgin Islands. Neighboring Puerto Rico has recently implemented water rationing measures in certain neighborhoods across seven cities, including San Juan, the island’s capital. More than 33% of Puerto Rico is under extreme drought, and another 30% is under severe drought, according to the Drought Monitor.
Experts attribute the dry conditions to a particularly strong El Niño this year, a natural warming cycle also expected to suppress the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season and contribute to forecasts of below-average tropical activity in the months ahead.