The Northern Marianas, especially Saipan, could face increased water restrictions with advice that a protracted dry season so far this summer will last through next month.
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration says the El Nino phenomenon will last until June, and the CNMI should continue to implement water conservation measures.
Saipan has had a tenth of its average rainfall this month and a government official says this is posing difficulties in the distribution of water for the Commonwealth Utility Corporation.
He says rationing is possible.