About 50% of households and businesses in Puerto Rico, a U.S. overseas territory, were without power as Hurricane Ernesto moved into the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Earlier, on August 14, the storm brought torrential rain to the U.S. territory.

According to LUMA Energy, Puerto Rico's main electricity provider, more than 725,000 households and businesses out of about 1.5 million customers on the island are without power.

On August 25, CNN news agency quoted LUMA Energy President and CEO Juan Saca as saying that it is not yet possible to determine the exact time when the power grid will be fully restored, but emphasized that more than 1,500 employees are urgently working to restore power as soon as possible.

Heavy rains and flooding have flooded several rivers in Puerto Rico and disrupted water purification at some water treatment plants, the island's water authority said.

Ahead of the storm, Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi activated the National Guard and urged residents to shelter in place. Across the island, public schools were closed and nearly 80 shelters were opened.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts that Hurricane Ernesto will approach the British overseas territory of Bermuda, about 1,093km east of North Carolina (US), on August 17. Before that, the storm could bring rain as early as August 15. According to the center, within 48 hours, Ernesto could strengthen into a major hurricane, from a Category 3 storm or higher with wind speeds of up to 179km/h.

Before Hurricane Ernesto leaves the US Virgin Islands, rainfall is expected to reach 152mm, while in southeastern Puerto Rico, up to 254mm is forecast.

KHANH HUNG