One of the Amazon’s main tributaries has dropped to its lowest level ever recorded, Brazil’s geological service said on Friday, reflecting a severe drought that has devastated the Amazon rainforest and other parts of the country.
The level of the Negro river at the port of Manaus was at 12.66 metres (41ft) on Friday, as compared with a normal level of about 21 meters (69ft).
It is the lowest since measurements started 122 years ago.
The previous record low level was recorded last year, but toward the end of October.
The Negro’s water level might drop even further in coming weeks based on forecasts for low rainfall in upstream regions, according to the geological service’s predictions.
Andre Martinelli, the agency’s hydrology manager in Manaus, was quoted as saying the river was expected to continue receding until the end of the month.
Water levels in Brazil’s Amazon always rise and fall with its rainy and dry seasons, but the dry portion of this year has been much worse than usual.
All of the major rivers in the Amazon basin are at critical levels, including the Madeira river, the Amazon’s longest tributary.
The Negro drains about 10% of the Amazon basin and is the world’s sixth-largest by water volume.
Manaus, the biggest city in the rainforest, is where the Negro joins the Amazon.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel