The Caribbean Drought and Precipitation Monitoring Network (CDPMN), based in Barbados, predicted Wednesday that rainfall will continue to fall as the region enters the peak of its dry season.

According to the report, long-term drought can have an impact on major rivers and groundwater, thus stakeholders in Hispaniola, several of the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, and St. Vincent should constantly monitor their water resources over the next months.

With the exception of Barbados, which was mildly to moderately dry, CDPMN reported that rainfall in the eastern Caribbean was normal to above average for the final three months of 2022.

According to the report, short-term drought could emerge in Antigua, Eastern Cuba, Guadeloupe, Northern Hispaniola, Southwest Puerto Rico, and St. Kitts and Nevis by the end of March.

According to CDPMN, a long-lasting drought might likely start or continue in St. Vincent, Western Cuba, and the Dominican Republic up until the end of May.