Severe drought is turning life upside down in the Amazon region

The river port of Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon rainforest, has recorded the lowest water level of the Rio Negro in more than 120 years, amid a devastating drought that has affected the entire region. The water level fell to 12.66 meters, the lowest since 1902, according to data provided by local authorities. This extreme drought has disrupted essential river transport for the people of the Amazon, especially the delivery of food, water and medicine, according to the Reuters news agency.

• The impact of the drought on the region and transport

Below seasonal average precipitation, especially during the rainy season, has significantly reduced the flow of the Amazon River and its tributaries. This situation has affected not only the ecosystems, but also the crucial river transport infrastructure, which is vital for the inhabitants of this isolated region. Already, grain transport has been halted on the Madeira River, another tributary of the Amazon, due to falling water levels. The port of Manaus, located at the confluence of the Rio Negro and the Solimoes River, faces immense challenges as the Rio Negro, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, continues to experience extremely low water levels and forecasts point to a further drop in the following weeks.

• Humanitarian and economic consequences

The prolonged drought has already triggered a humanitarian crisis in the state of Amazonas, where more than 500,000 people are affected and at least 62 municipalities have declared a state of emergency. Last year, similar conditions prevented the transport of essential supplies, leaving many communities without access to food, water and medical services, and the situation looks set to repeat itself this year. The drought also had effects on Brazil's electricity production, as many hydroelectric plants, the main source of electricity, were affected by the lack of water.

• Climate change and future prospects

Scientists warn that the Amazon region may not recover normal moisture levels before 2026, further exacerbating the risks to the region's environment and residents. The drought has also fueled the worst wildfires in a decade in Brazil and Bolivia, underscoring the Amazon rainforest's vulnerability to climate change. This crisis in the Amazon reflects the wider challenges facing South America, where other major rivers, such as the Paraguay River, are also experiencing low water levels, affecting transport and supplies in several countries in the region.