US government declares drought disaster for US Virgin Islands

The U.S. government has declared a drought disaster in the U.S. Virgin Islands due to persistent dry conditions. St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix are experiencing extreme drought, with no relief in sight. The declaration allows farmers and agricultural producers to seek federal emergency loans. The governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands stated that the declaration provides another tool for farmers to withstand the effects of the drought.

The deepening drought has also affected neighboring Puerto Rico, where officials have implemented water rationing measures in several cities. Experts attribute the lack of rainfall to a strong El Niño cycle, which is also expected to lead to a below-average Atlantic hurricane season.