Brazil | Drought lowers Amazon River to lowest level in 122 years

2024-10-14 2024-10-14T09:04:37Z

Arab Weather - The port of Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, witnessed a sharp drop in the level of the Amazon River, reaching its lowest level since 1902. The port recorded this drop, which disrupted navigation through the waterways, which greatly affected the transportation of grain exports and basic supplies that the region's residents depend on.

Impact of drought on the region and transportation

Below-normal rainfall, even during the rainy season, has worsened a drought in the Amazon and much of South America since last year, helping to fuel the worst forest fires in Brazil and Bolivia in more than a decade. Researchers attribute the situation mainly to climate change.

Scientists' predictions and the return of humidity

Scientists predict that the region will not regain normal moisture levels until 2026, making the situation even more dire. Last year, the drought turned into a humanitarian crisis, leaving many people who depend on rivers stranded, without food, water or medicine.

State of emergency in Amazonas

The state of Amazonas is in a state of emergency, with local authorities declaring that at least 62 municipalities have been affected, affecting more than half a million people. According to the state’s civil defense agency, Valmir Mendonca, head of operations for the port of Manaus, said the current drought is the worst in more than 120 years, and low water levels are likely to continue for another week or two. The Rio Negro was measured at 12.66 meters on Friday, its lowest level ever, and surpassing the lowest level recorded last year.

The water level in one of the Amazon River's main tributaries has reached record lows, Brazil's geological services reported Friday, Oct. 4. Severe drought has devastated the country, greatly affecting communities that rely on the Amazon rainforest and the giant rivers. pic.twitter.com/OyTlVJmTSm

— CGTN America (@cgtnamerica) October 7, 2024

Drought impacts on ports and the environment

The Rio Negro is a major tributary of the Amazon, the world’s largest river by volume, and is located near the “confluence of the waters,” where the black waters of the Negro meet the sandy-colored waters of the Solimões River, which also recorded its lowest levels this week. As a result of the drop, grain shipments on the Madeira River, another tributary of the Amazon, have been halted due to falling water levels.
Once again, freshwater dolphin carcasses have been found in the Amazon River, with researchers attributing the phenomenon to falling water levels, which has pushed the threatened species into closer proximity to humans, increasing their risk of endangerment.

Worst drought since the 1950s

Brazil’s national disaster monitoring agency, Cimaden, has described the current drought as the worst in the country since the 1950s. The drought has also affected hydroelectric plants, which are Brazil’s main source of electricity. For this reason, energy authorities have agreed to reinstate daylight saving time to conserve energy, although the decision is still awaiting presidential approval.

Drought impact on South America

The drought is not just affecting Brazil, but also large parts of South America. The Paraguay River, which starts in Brazil and runs through Paraguay and Argentina before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean, is also at an all-time low. Extreme heat and drought have also sparked fires in the Amazon and Pantanal, the world’s largest wetlands. Bolivia is also on track to break the record for the most fires ever recorded, according to data from Brazil’s space research agency.