Quixplained: why Brazil's Amazon faces severe drought

Updated : Oct 23, 2022 08:03
|
AP

Just months after enduring floods that destroyed crops and submerged entire communities, thousands of families in the Brazilian Amazon are now dealing with severe drought.

The low level of the Amazon river, at the center of the largest drainage system in the world, has put dozens of municipalities under alert.

The dry season, known locally as the "Amazonian summer," usually lasts from June to December.

The fast-decreasing river water level is due to lower-than-expected rainfall during August and September, according to Luna Gripp, a researcher who monitors the western Amazon's river levels for the Brazilian Geological Survey.

Also watch: Visit Kralovec: the Czech social media 'annexation' of Russia's Kaliningrad

As most of Amazonas state is not connected by roads, the main concern is the shortage of food, fuel and other goods normally transported through waterways.

AmazonBrazil

Recommended For You

editorji | World

Israel vows to fight on as Iran warns ceasefire talks at risk

editorji | World

Trump says 'no enrichment' of uranium in Iran

editorji | World

Pakistan to host US-Iran ceasefire talks on Friday

editorji | World

Iran hits Gulf states after agreeing 'fragile' truce with US

editorji | World

Trump warns 'whole civilization will die' in Iran if ultimatum expires