KRGV.com

MISSION - The severe drought is affecting maintenance at Rio Grande Valley cemeteries, local residents said.

Rosie Jimenez said it hasn't been easy keeping the grass green at her parents' graves.

"I make the effort for my parents," Jimenez said.

The drought has affected many areas at Valley Memorial Gardens in Mission.

"The grass has been dying. And even if they change the grass, it will only be green for a week or two," Marilou Prudencio said.

People are taking water hoses to the cemetery to water their loved ones' graves. Others use buckets to keep the areas green

"Yesterday, another lady was watering with a hose. She said, ‘I have to come, otherwise the grass will die,'" Prudencio said.

"We're asking the Lord bring us some rain," Prudencio said.

The cemetery went on water restriction six months ago. Watering is only done on a need-to basis, cemetery employees said.