A drought that has been going on for months in the Brazilian state of Amazonas has resulted in water levels of the river of the same name and the Rio Negro being significantly lower than normal at this time of year. The result: The waterways are currently no longer available as a transport route in many places.
Drone images (see video above) taken on Wednesday in the port area of Manaus on the Rio Negro show how bad the consequences of the drought are. Brazilian authorities estimate that around half a million residents of the South American country could be affected by the drought by the end of the year.
Low water levels have already severely restricted the movement of people and goods by boat, making it even more difficult, especially for remote communities, to access services such as healthcare, education, water and food.
Fischer: “Man, this drought is historic”
In the Amazon, waterways are the main means of transportation, and historically low water levels make passage impossible for boats. Another consequence is the impact on fishing, the main source of livelihood for many communities along the rivers. “Man, this drought is historic. (…) I’ve never seen anything like it. We are all affected by this drought. But this is nature and there is nothing we can do about it,” said Jose Nilson, a fisherman.
Meteorologists attribute the severity of this year’s drought to the presence of El Niño, a cyclical weather phenomenon characterized by the warming of the waters of the Pacific Ocean that affects climate patterns worldwide. Although the most serious consequences of this phenomenon have not yet been felt, many people are already experiencing difficulties. B. access to food and drinking water.
State of alarm declared for the entire region
As a result of this enhanced El Niño effect, water levels in rivers and lakes in the Amazon basin have reached unprecedented lows, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency for the entire region two weeks ago.
The state of Amazonas – the largest in Brazil – also launched a $20 million (about 19 million euros) response plan to provide aid and support to affected communities. The money will be used to finance the distribution of food, drinking water, hygiene products and other essential products.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
