Amazon river faces worst drought in 121 Years

Updated: Sep 4th, 2024


The Amazon region is experiencing a severe environmental crisis as river levels continue to plummet, worsened by last year's record drought and insufficient rainfall this season. Scientists warn that this is the worst drought the Amazon has faced in 121 years.

The Brazilian Geological Service (SGB) has issued a warning that all rivers in the Amazon Basin are expected to fall below their normal levels, posing significant challenges for local communities.

In Brazil’s Manaus, the river’s level is at its lowest point in 121 years. The depth of the Rio Negro has decreased to 21 meters, down from 24 meters at this time last year.The declining water levels across the vast basin are leading to higher water temperatures and the deaths of dolphins.

According to reports, the crops are suffering, and fish populations are declining as streams dry up, impacting riverside communities that rely on fishing for their livelihoods.

The current drought situation is reminiscent of a 41-year-old drought that resulted in the deaths of 200,000 people. The ongoing drought is being intensified by the El Niño phenomenon, which is spreading across the Central Pacific Ocean. El Niño is a climate pattern that occurs when the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific warms up.

El Niño's impact has caused a severe drought in the northern Amazon and has also led to forest fires in Brazil’s Roraima state. The combined effects of El Niño and deforestation in the Amazon region have previously led to droughts in Ethiopia and neighboring African countries, resulting in the deaths of over 200,000 people in 1982.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global climate systems have undergone changes since 1975, which have intensified the effects of El Niño. This ongoing crisis highlights the urgent need for action to address climate change and protect the Amazon rainforest.

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