The Amazon River’s tributary, the Negro River, has reached its lowest level ever recorded due to a severe drought in Brazil. The water level at the port of Manaus is currently at 12.66 meters, significantly lower than the normal level of about 21 meters. Predictions suggest that the water levels may continue to drop in the coming weeks, as upstream regions are forecasted to receive low rainfall.
This unprecedented drought has not only affected the Amazon rainforest but has also impacted the lives of locals. Basic daily activities have become impossible for people like Gracita Barbosa, who works as a cashier on a floating shop on the Negro River. With boats unable to navigate the river, Barbosa is out of work, unable to bathe in the river, and forced to travel longer distances to collect drinking water.
The situation is dire as all major rivers in the Amazon basin, including the Madeira River and the Amazon River, are at critical levels. The Negro River contributes about 10% of the Amazon basin and is the sixth-largest river in the world by water volume.
Experts from Brazil’s geological service have warned that the situation may worsen before improving, as the dry season this year has been unusually severe. With water levels receding and forecasts predicting continued low rainfall, the impact on the region’s ecosystem and communities is expected to be significant. The city of Manaus, where the Negro River meets the Amazon River, is among the areas most affected by the ongoing drought.
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