The worsening of the drought affecting the Amazon caused the Rio Negro, one of the main rivers in the region, to reach a new historic low. According to the Port of Manaus, responsible for the measurement, the river level reached 13.19 meters.
Since the end of April this year, the level has gradually reduced. The forecast is that it will continue to fall until the beginning of November, when the dry period ends.
To give you an idea, the record high ever measured was 30.02 meters on June 16, 2021. Currently, some rivers in the state look like mud roads with pockets of water and stuck boats.
The drought has effects on practically the entire Amazon. According to the latest bulletin from the state government, released this Friday (20), 59 of the 62 municipalities in Amazonas are in an emergency situation. One is on alert and two are normal. According to the bulletin, 146 thousand families were affected, which represents 590 thousand people.
This week, the Navy, through the Hospital Assistance Ship Soares de Meirelles, in joint action with the Army and local authorities, distributed more than 6 thousand basic food baskets and 1.1 thousand boxes of mineral water in municipalities in the Alto Solimões region . Distribution began in the municipality of Tabatinga, close to the border with Colombia and Peru.
According to the Navy, the ship is “the main means of transport for distributing basic food baskets and essential supplies in the region”. The vessel must travel 1,350 kilometers, including the municipalities of Benjamin Constant, Atalaia do Norte, Amaturá, Santo Antônio do Içá and Tonantins.
VIDEO – Drought in Amazonas: Rio Negro reaches lowest level in history
“The prolonged drought has placed several communities in a fragile situation, due to the supply difficulties they are facing. This operation is very important as it brings an immediate response and helps them overcome this moment of difficulty”, said frigate captain Ricardo Sampaio Bastos, captain of the Ports of Tabatinga.
Navio Soares Meirelles also provides primary health care and distribution of medicines to riverside and indigenous communities.
In another federal aid action, the Ministry of Health announced, on Monday (16), a budget of R$225 million to reinforce services in Amazonas due to the severe drought.
VIDEO – Relevant Fact: Drought in Amazonas paralyzes industrial hub in Manaus
Last week, the ministry sent seven calamity kits to Amazonas, containing 32 medicines and 16 supplies, with the capacity to serve 10,500 people for up to a month.
On Thursday (19), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke by telephone with the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro. The two heads of state addressed the issue of the drought affecting the Amazon.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.
