World · 11 August 2026

Puerto Rico rationing water for 180,000 homes due to drought

Hundreds of thousands of people in Puerto Rico have their running water cut for two days at a time due to a severe drought. Authorities on the US territory have split households into groups, with each group's supply being cut for 48 hours in turn. Water rationing affects 180,000 properties, mainly in seven regions served by the crucial Carraízo reservoir.

By BriefTea Editorial · 11 August 2026 at 16:34

Reported by BBC · How we write briefs

Get the app

Understand this story

Is Puerto Rico part of the US? What is the Carraízo reservoir? What is water rationing? Why do droughts cause problems?

More briefs

WorldArizona desert deaths of 19 migrants last month hit a two-year record WorldFar-right party wins first lower-house seat in Western Australia WorldMasked Israeli settlers attacked homes in West Bank's Qusra on Saturday WorldCanada installs giant sign after Trump renames Lake Ontario WorldGunmen attack Niger's Niamey airport and presidential palace WorldNorway's new King Haakon remembers his father Harald V in first speech More world stories → Browse all stories →