Drought worsens in Puerto Rico; government extends severe water restrictions

Published December 11, 2015

FILE - This June 15, 2015 aerial file photo shows the drought affecting the Carraizo reservoir in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. A deepening drought in Puerto Rico that has affected 2.5 million people forced the government on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015 to extend severe water rationing measures to more communities that are already struggling with an economic crisis. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo, File) (The Associated Press)

A deepening drought in Puerto Rico has forced the government to extend severe water rationing measures to more communities.

A total of nearly 400,000 customers now receive water every third day as the U.S. territory's main reservoirs continue to shrink.

Nearly 13 percent of Puerto Rico is under an extreme drought and another 39 percent under a severe one. The National Drought Mitigation Center said a total of 2.5 million people have been affected.

The newest rationing measures went into effect Wednesday.

The drought has forced some businesses to temporarily close as Puerto Rico struggles to emerge from a nearly decade-long economic slump.

Other Caribbean islands also are struggling with a drought, including Jamaica, St. Lucia and the Dominican Republic.

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