Amazon River Port in Manaus Reaches Lowest Level Since 1902
By Bruno Kelly and Jake Spring
The river port in the Amazon rainforest's largest city of Manaus hit its lowest level since 1902, impacting grain exports and essential supplies. Below-average rainfall and climate change are blamed for the drought, with scientists predicting a full recovery by 2026. Last year's drought led to a humanitarian crisis, and this year, authorities are on alert with over half a million people affected in Amazonas state. The Port of Manaus measured the Rio Negro river at a record low, affecting grain shipments and causing a ripple effect on hydropower plants, Brazil's main source of electricity. The extreme weather is also fueling fires in the Amazon and Pantanal, with Bolivia set to break records for the most fires recorded.