Extreme drought spreads across southern & eastern Puerto Rico

By THE STAR STAFF

Extreme drought conditions spread this week across large sections of Puerto Rico’s southern coast and eastern region, with 75.2% of the territory experiencing some level of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor update released on Thursday.

Data valid as of Sept. 1 show that 41% of Puerto Rico is experiencing extreme drought (category D3), a condition appearing primarily along a strip covering much of the island’s south and another extensive area in the east.

Severe drought (category D2) affects another 21.3% of the territory, while 13% is experiencing moderate drought (category D1).

Combined, the three drought categories cover 75.2% of Puerto Rico. Another 7.7% is classified as abnormally dry (category D0), a status not counted as drought.

The map shows that the most critical conditions are concentrated in southern areas -- stretching from the southwest to the south-central region -- as well as across a large portion of eastern Puerto Rico. Vieques is also shown to be experiencing extreme drought.

No areas are reported to be under exceptional drought (category D4), the highest level of the classification.

The U.S. Drought Monitor update uses data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Center for Drought Mitigation.