Amazon Drought Causes Water Levels to Drop, Disrupting Navigation and Impacting Export of Grains
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The record drought in the Amazon last year and continued low rainfall have led to a rapid drop in river water levels, affecting navigation by barges carrying grains for export and isolating communities that rely on river transport.
The Brazilian Geological Service (SGB) has issued warnings that water levels have been decreasing since June, with all rivers in the Amazon basin expected to fall below their historical levels.
In Manaus, the Rio Negro river has seen a significant decrease in depth, causing concerns for industries in the Free Trade Zone. Dredging work has begun on critical points of the Madeira river, with plans for similar work on the Amazon and Solimoes rivers.
Consultancy ARGUS predicts increased shipping costs for producers as the drought continues to impact river navigability, potentially leading to a shift in cargo routes to ports in southern and southeastern Brazil.
Communities across the Amazon region are facing isolation due to the lower water levels, affecting food supply and agriculture. The lack of rain is also impacting the "flying rivers" that carry moisture to southern regions of Brazil, exacerbating the situation.
Despite expectations for more rain in the second half of the year due to La Niña, the lack of cooling in the Pacific waters has worsened the situation in the Amazon, according to climatologist Jose Marengo.