The Amazon River’s Negro River, a key tributary, has reached its lowest level ever recorded, according to Brazil’s geological service. The severe drought affecting the Amazon rainforest and other regions in Brazil has caused the river’s level at the port of Manaus to drop to 12.66 meters, significantly below the normal level of 21 meters. This record low surpasses the previous lowest level recorded last year and is the lowest in the river’s 122-year recorded history.
Predictions indicate that the water level might decrease further in the upcoming weeks due to forecasts of low rainfall in upstream areas. All major rivers in the Amazon basin are experiencing critical levels, impacting daily life for locals and affecting economic activities. For example, Gracita Barbosa, a 28-year-old cashier working on a floating shop on the Negro River, is unable to work as boats cannot navigate the river. The situation has also made basic activities like bathing and collecting drinking water more challenging for residents of the area.
The drying up of the Negro River highlights the severity of the current drought in the region, exacerbated by the unusually dry dry season this year. Water levels in Brazil’s Amazon are closely linked to rainy and dry seasons but have been significantly affected by the ongoing extreme weather conditions. The situation is a sign of the urgent need for environmental conservation and sustainable water management in the Amazon region.
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