Puerto Rico Implements Water Rationing Amid Severe Drought
Puerto Rico is set to implement water rationing measures across San Juan and several other major cities due to a severe drought. Starting Friday, over 180,000 customers will face 48-hour water cutoffs on an alternating schedule. Governor Jenniffer González has acknowledged the gravity of the situation, attributing the crisis to persistent weather conditions. July marked the driest month on record for San Juan in over 120 years, with nearly 25% of Puerto Rico experiencing severe drought. The rationing will extend to neighborhoods in Carolina, Juncos, Gurabo, Trujillo Alto, Canovanas, and Loiza. To mitigate the impact, large trucks will distribute potable water, prioritizing hospitals and residences for older people. The chronic lack of water has prompted legal actions, with San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero suing the island’s Water and Sewer Authority over longstanding shortages.