Amazon Acute Drought, Brazil Emergency Status

Illustration of drought. (ANTARA PHOTO)

JAKARTA - Amazon's rainforest in Brazil is struggling with a acute drought, forcing the government to issue warnings about its possible impact on 500 thousand residents by the end of this year.

As reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Wednesday, September 27, the government of the northwestern state of Amazonas declared a state of emergency in 13 cities due to acute drought, while 16 other cities were ordered on standby.

On September 21, the water level in the Solimoes River was very low to minus 43cm.

The river flows from the Brazil-Peru border in the West towards Benjamin Constant's township on Amazon near Manaus.

This situation makes it difficult for local residents to get staples such as food and water.

In this area, river flow is the main mode of transportation, but the river surface reaches the lowest point of all time.

In addition, drought affects fishery activities that are the main source of riverside communities.

Amazonas Governor Wilson Lima traveled to Brasilia, the nation's capital, to meet President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday to discuss urgent drought issues.

Various levels of government "will coordinate measures to support people living in affected cities," Lima uploaded in X.

To help those affected, Brazil's civil defense agency launched a program to deliver staples including food, water and personal hygiene equipment.

According to Brazil's civil body, drought is expected to last longer and intense due to the weather phenomenon of El Nino, which hinders the formation of rain clouds.