Thu. Nov 14th, 2024

Before and after pictures of the Rio Negro in the Amazon drying up have gone viral. The water level of the river has been decreasing by 20cm (8 inches) per day, according to Newsweek. This is due to the El Nino weather phenomenon, which has resulted in below average rainfall in the northern Amazon. As a result, 59 out of 62 municipalities in the Amazonas state are facing drought, with 15 of them in an emergency situation, reports Reuters.

A user named Sergio Freire shared two photos on social media showing the drastic change in the Rio Negro. One picture, taken in July, depicts a flowing river surrounded by forest. The second picture, taken in October, shows a dry, muddy riverbed. The post has gained significant attention, with 4.4 million views.

The Brazilian government has announced plans to provide emergency assistance to the affected inhabitants in the Amazon region. The record drought has depleted the rivers, which serve as a lifeline for the local communities. The Amazon drought is attributed to the warming of the Pacific Ocean’s surface water caused by the El Nino phenomenon, experts say, as reported by Reuters.

The severe drought has had a devastating impact on the local ecosystem. Some rivers in the Amazon rainforest have accumulated dead fish, restricting access to food and drinking water for the communities. Additionally, around 120 river dolphins have been found dead in a tributary of the Amazon River, suspected to be a consequence of the severe drought and heat.

By admin