The Amazon River basin is experiencing an unprecedented drought, with water levels plunging to historic lows across the region. This environmental disaster is wreaking havoc on navigation routes, devastating wildlife habitats, and threatening local communities, intensifying concerns over the accelerating impacts of climate change.
Known as the world’s largest river by volume, the Amazon originates in the Peruvian Andes and stretches across South America. Its vast ecosystem supports one-sixth of the world’s freshwater supply. However, regions across the Amazon are now facing extreme drought conditions, with water levels reaching record lows in several areas.
Drought Impacts Across the Amazon
In Tabatinga, a Brazilian town bordering Colombia, the Solimões River one of the Amazon’s major tributaries has fallen to its lowest recorded level. Downstream in Tefé, a key branch of the Solimões has dried up entirely, leaving large stretches of sandy riverbed where water once flowed.
The drying of Lake Tefé has led to the death of over 200 endangered pink dolphins, a critical blow to local biodiversity. Greenpeace spokesperson Romulo Batista emphasized the severity of this year’s drought: “We are seeing months break records from last year. Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is here with a force greater than expected.”
In Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon, where the Solimões and Rio Negro rivers meet, water levels are nearing the record lows seen in 2023. Indigenous leader Kambeba reported that this year’s drought has arrived earlier and with greater intensity, leaving communities struggling with water shortages and lost livelihoods.
Wildfires Add to the Devastation
As vegetation dries out, vast areas of the Amazon are burning, leading to widespread wildfires. The resulting smoke has engulfed cities across South America, adding another layer of destruction to the crisis.
The Amazon basin’s drought, the second in consecutive years, is raising serious concerns about the future of the region’s ecosystem. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, experts are urging immediate global action to address the worsening climate crisis.
As Romulo Batista stated, “The Amazon is a key indicator of how climate change is impacting the planet. What we’re witnessing here is a warning for the entire world.”
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