61.4 percent of Puerto Rico already suffers some level of drought

On July 9, 2026, NotiCel reports that the U.S. Drought Monitor showed a deterioration: 61.4 percent of the territory is under some level of drought and another 21.3 percent remains abnormally dry. The data, valid as of July 7, show 50.9 percent in moderate drought (D1) and 10.5 percent in severe drought (D2). The report does not list areas in extreme drought (D3) or exceptional drought (D4). The Monitor is prepared by the National Drought Mitigation Center, NOAA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and NASA. It serves as a reference for agricultural-disaster declarations, loans, and water planning.

Drought.gov, NotiCel cites, recalls that Puerto Rico depends on rainfall for consumption and agriculture. The report notes that the extreme drought of 2014 to 2016 forced rationing that affected more than a million people and caused agricultural losses above $14 million. It also mentions the 2020 drought. It adds that rising temperatures and projected changes in precipitation could favor longer dry seasons. That projection is the Monitor's via the outlet. It is not a forecast of this magazine.

This 61.4 percent is not OE-2026-032 of July 7 nor the 48-hour rationing of July 6. A federal map, an executive order, and a Guzmán Arriba calendar are three layers. In August, other notes on this desk will speak of D3; that category, on July 9, still does not appear in this report. The reader who wants the Monitor has the NotiCel URL at the foot.

Source: NotiCel. https://noticel.com/noticias/20260709/el-61-4-de-puerto-rico-ya-sufre-de-algun-nivel-de-sequia/