Drought in the Amazon: ecological crisis and livelihood problems

Since July 2023, the state of Amazonas has suffered from a persistent drought. By October 2023, the depth of part of the Negro River in the Amazon rainforest near the city of Manaus had shrunk to 12.7 meters, the lowest level in 120 years of measured records. Continued dry weather has resulted in a high incidence of forest fires in the Amazon, affecting the habitat of local flora and fauna. At the same time, the temperature of the water in the river has risen and dead fish have appeared in parts of the river, contaminating local water sources and having a significant impact on the lives of some 500,000 local inhabitants, who are no longer able to bathe in the river or collect water for their daily use as drinking water, and are forced to transport water from other places.