By THE STAR STAFF Extreme drought continues to recede in Puerto Rico and now affects 9.3% of the territory, while the total extent of drought conditions has dropped to 54.5%, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor update released Thursday, with data valid as of Tuesday, Sept. 29. The new report reflects an improvement compared to the Sept. 8 update, when 69.1% of Puerto Rico remained under some category of drought and 39.5% was experiencing extreme drought. The reduction between the two dates…