Puerto Rico’s normally rainy season has instead brought a severe and fast-growing drought, according to data from the NASA Earth Observatory.

By August 25, three-quarters of the territory was in at least moderate drought, with extreme drought covering 44 percent and some areas receiving less than 20 percent of the usual rainfall.

Water shortages have forced rationing, while farmers are losing crops and ranchers are running low on hay.

The situation has become serious enough to trigger both local and federal disaster declarations, according to the observatory.

Puerto Rico typically enters its wet season in May, but this year the governor declared a state of emergency in July while the U.S. government issued a drought disaster declaration covering more than two dozen cities and towns.

Just three months earlier, none of Puerto Rico was classified as being in drought, and less than 20 percent of the territory was considered abnormally dry.

Late winter and early spring had actually been wetter than normal across the U.S. Caribbean, according to a National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) report.

From mid-May through mid-July, most of Puerto Rico received less than 60 percent of its normal precipitation, according to NIDIS. Southern and southwestern areas were even drier, receiving less than 20 percent of normal rainfall – a rainfall deficit of 3 to 6 inches.

High temperatures made the drying worse.

San Juan experienced one of its warmest Julys on record. River levels also fell sharply, with streamflow reaching record lows in waterways including the Rio Fajardo in northeastern Puerto Rico.

The strain on water supplies has affected residents, farmers, and ranchers across Puerto Rico. News reports indicate water rationing has been in effect in several municipalities since early August.

Original written by Lindsey Doermann. NASA Earth Observatory. (2026, September 4). Extreme drought now covers 44% of Puerto Rico. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 4, 2026 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260902234457.htm