Almost 60 percent of Brazil's territory is struggling with the effects of drought. In the Amazon region, lack of rainfall and high temperatures have led to a complete stoppage of navigation on many rivers.
A huge drought has been devastating the Brazilian part of the Amazon rainforest for over a year. According to data published by government bodies, 58 percent of the country is struggling with the consequences of the worst drought in half a century, and almost a third of the country is experiencing an “extreme lack of rainfall.” In the capital, Brasilia, not a drop of rain has fallen for over 140 days.
The world's failing lungs
In a statement on Monday, the head of the Ministry of Natural Environment, Marina Silva, announced that the average level of many rivers in the Brazilian Amazon, which in recent years was up to 14 meters, is now only 70 centimeters. Record low water levels were recorded on the Rio Negro, one of the largest tributaries of the Amazon River. This decline has made them completely unnavigable, with the result that large areas of the Amazon and its virgin forests, known as the “lungs of the world”, are now virtually cut off from the world.
– Under these conditions, 931 forest fires were recorded in August and September in large areas of the Brazilian Amazon – the authorities said. – We must react, act without wasting time, because we depend on nature, 50 percent of the world's GDP depends on it – they added.
Silva announced that the government of the Brazilian president has started to create a new office that “will coordinate activities aimed at achieving climate goals.”
Main photo source: Reuters