Extreme Drought Isolates Amazon Communities in Brazil

By Bruno Kelly

MANAUS, Brazil – Francisco Mateus da Silva, a 67-year-old resident of the Amazon, spent an hour navigating through sandbanks and dry riverbeds to gather food and water, facing the region’s worst drought on record which has disrupted river transportation.

"It’s very difficult for us because we are accustomed to traveling on the river. The river is like our street, and without water, we can’t even leave. We are practically isolated," Silva shared.

The state of Amazonas has declared a state of emergency in 62 municipalities due to the drought, while the smaller adjacent state of Acre has reported 21 municipalities in similar circumstances. Approximately 70% of all cities in the region are impacted, with nearly 300 experiencing severe or extreme conditions, according to the national center for monitoring natural disasters.

Silva noted that the droughts over the past two years have been particularly harsh, resulting in significant damage.

Elineide Rodrigues, also from the community of Sao Francisco do Maina, situated between the Amazon River and Puraquequara lagoon near Manaus, expressed her challenges. Normally, she would take a boat across the lagoon to shop in the capital, but with water levels reduced to mere centimeters, she now must walk.

"Our main problem is transportation for shopping and for students getting to school. These days, we have to walk for kilometers," she explained.

The Negro River, which serves as the primary route to Manaus, is currently just 20 centimeters (8 inches) above the record low it reached last year, further complicating supply access in the city and surrounding communities.