Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Amazon tributary at a 100-year low
October 28, 2010
Meteorologists are split on the cause of the Amazonia drought, writes Tom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro.
ONE of the most important tributaries of the Amazon River has fallen to its lowest level in more than a century, following a fierce drought that has isolated tens of thousands of rainforest inhabitants and raised concerns about the impact of climate change on the region.
The drought affecting the north and west Amazonia has been described as one of the worst in the past 40 years, with the Negro River, which flows into the Amazon River, reportedly hitting its lowest level since records began in 1902. In just 24 hours the level of the Negro near Manaus, the capital of Brazilian state Amazonas, dropped 6 centimetres to 13.63 metres, a historic low.
The Solimoes and Amazon rivers have also seen their levels plunge stranding village dwellers who rely on the waterways for transport and food, and marooning wooden boats.
Local authorities say nearly half Amazonas' 62 municipalities declared states of emergency, during the last major drought in the region in 2005. That year thousands of families were forced to abandon their homes and schools closed for lack of students. Authorities say around 62,000 families have been affected by this year's receding rivers, and the federal government has announced $US13.5 million ($A13.8 million) in aid for the region.
read more
October 28, 2010
Meteorologists are split on the cause of the Amazonia drought, writes Tom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro.
ONE of the most important tributaries of the Amazon River has fallen to its lowest level in more than a century, following a fierce drought that has isolated tens of thousands of rainforest inhabitants and raised concerns about the impact of climate change on the region.
The drought affecting the north and west Amazonia has been described as one of the worst in the past 40 years, with the Negro River, which flows into the Amazon River, reportedly hitting its lowest level since records began in 1902. In just 24 hours the level of the Negro near Manaus, the capital of Brazilian state Amazonas, dropped 6 centimetres to 13.63 metres, a historic low.
The Solimoes and Amazon rivers have also seen their levels plunge stranding village dwellers who rely on the waterways for transport and food, and marooning wooden boats.
Local authorities say nearly half Amazonas' 62 municipalities declared states of emergency, during the last major drought in the region in 2005. That year thousands of families were forced to abandon their homes and schools closed for lack of students. Authorities say around 62,000 families have been affected by this year's receding rivers, and the federal government has announced $US13.5 million ($A13.8 million) in aid for the region.
read more