The US government has declared a drought disaster covering 26 municipalities in Puerto Rico, providing emergency assistance to farmers as the US territory faces worsening water shortages, record dryness and persistent extreme heat.

The declaration, announced Wednesday, allows agricultural producers in the affected municipalities to seek emergency federal loans to help offset losses caused by the prolonged drought. Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González had formally requested the federal declaration more than two weeks earlier, citing the mounting impact on farmers.

More than 33% of Puerto Rico is currently experiencing extreme drought, while another 30% is classified as being under severe drought, according to the latest figures cited by authorities. San Juan experienced its driest July in more than 120 years, with only 0.54 inches of rain recorded, while the month was also the second hottest July on record for the capital.

The designated municipalities include Cabo Rojo, Ponce, Yauco, Aibonito and Lares, among others.

“This is an important step,” Puerto Rico Agriculture Secretary Irving Rodríguez said, urging farmers affected by the drought to document their losses in order to access available assistance.

Farmers struggle as water supplies dwindle

The prolonged lack of rainfall has already forced some farmers to halt production, in some cases as early as May.

Agricultural producers growing vegetables in soil and hydroponic systems have been particularly affected, while fruit growers have reported severe losses. Coffee, cacao, plantains and banana crops have suffered as plants struggle to obtain sufficient water, with some fruit reportedly falling from trees before reaching maturity.

Official drought monitoring has also documented severe agricultural impacts. Southern irrigation districts have already faced water restrictions, while coffee production has reportedly fallen sharply amid the prolonged dry conditions.

Some farmers have resorted to selling livestock at heavily reduced prices as the lack of water and feed makes it increasingly difficult to maintain production.

Water rationing already affects hundreds of thousands

The agricultural emergency comes as Puerto Rico grapples with a broader water crisis affecting households and businesses.

Since early August, authorities have implemented rotating 48-hour water shutoffs in parts of San Juan and several surrounding municipalities. The measures initially affected more than 180,000 customer accounts, with water deliveries being prioritized for hospitals and residences housing elderly people.

The rationing has been introduced in areas including San Juan, Carolina, Juncos, Gurabo, Trujillo Alto, Canóvanas and Loíza.

Officials have warned that the situation could deteriorate further if substantial rainfall does not arrive.

Drought compounded by infrastructure problems

While extreme weather is driving the current crisis, officials and residents say Puerto Rico's water problems cannot be attributed to drought alone.

Many communities had already experienced unreliable water service, low pressure and prolonged outages before the latest drought intensified. Puerto Rico's water infrastructure has suffered from years of inadequate maintenance and investment, according to government officials and local authorities.

San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero sued the territory's water and sewer authority in May over persistent water shortages, highlighting the infrastructure problems that have compounded the effects of the worsening drought.

More than $7 billion in federal grants and low-interest loans have been awarded for water infrastructure projects, although hundreds of projects remain under development.

El Niño adds to pressure

Meteorologists say the drought is being intensified by a strengthening El Niño climate pattern.

The National Weather Service in San Juan has warned that dry conditions could persist into September, with rainfall during some periods expected to remain significantly below normal.

The broader climate outlook has raised concerns that Puerto Rico could face continued pressure on reservoirs, agriculture and water supplies before conditions improve.

The US government's disaster declaration provides some immediate financial relief for farmers, but it does not resolve the territory's deeper water-supply problems.

For Puerto Rico, the crisis now represents a combination of record-breaking dryness, extreme heat, agricultural losses, strained reservoirs and long-standing infrastructure weaknesses—with residents and farmers facing an uncertain path toward recovery. (ILKHA)