US declares drought disaster for parts of Puerto Rico
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture declared a drought disaster for 26 of Puerto Rico's 78 municipalities following record-breaking dry conditions and extreme temperatures. Triggered by a natural El Niño warming cycle, the drought has severely impacted agricultural production, causing fruit crops to drop prematurely and livestock farmers to sell animals at diminished prices. Governor Jenniffer González requested the designation to allow affected farmers access to emergency federal loans, as many have suffered production losses since May.
Consequences
Farmers in the designated regions will now be able to apply for emergency loans to mitigate financial losses sustained throughout the ongoing dry period. Meanwhile, the island faces continued water rationing affecting over 180,000 customers, compounded by long-term issues related to crumbling water utility infrastructure that has lacked investment for decades.
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