Critical Drought in Amazon Disrupts Transport, Isolates Communities

The Amazon faces a severe drought, with rapidly dropping river levels impacting navigation and isolating communities. Grain exports and industry in the Free Trade Zone are threatened. Despite dredging efforts, shipping costs may rise, crop failure is imminent, and the usual rainy season relief didn't materialize due to climate anomalies.

The Amazon rainforest is grappling with an unprecedented drought, causing river levels to plummet rapidly. This has severely disrupted navigation for barges transporting grains for export, and isolated communities that rely on river transport.

The Brazilian Geological Service (SGB) reports continuous drops in water levels since June, impacting all rivers in the Amazon basin. In Manaus, the Rio Negro river has declined to 21 meters from 24 meters last year, worrying industries within the Free Trade Zone. Businesses have requested immediate dredging to circumvent last year's transport disruptions.

According to the government's transport infrastructure department, DNIT, dredging has begun on key sections of the Madeira river, though only low-draft vessels can currently navigate these waters. Last year's drought led to restricted port use on the Amazon river, and this year's forecast appears even gloomier, per consultancy ARGUS. This volatility might force the rerouting of grain and fertilizer cargoes to other Brazilian ports, potentially driving up shipping costs for producers.

In the broader Amazon region, low river levels are isolating entire communities. Residents face difficulties accessing food, with crop failures and fish die-offs exacerbating the crisis. Climatologist Jose Marengo notes that typical drought conditions would still allow for navigation by small boats, but the current situation is far worse. Expected rainfall from the La Niña phenomenon, which should have brought more rain to northern Brazil, has not materialized, compounding the catastrophe. The resulting drought also threatens to affect moisture distribution to southern Brazil, stressing agricultural zones dependent on these 'flying rivers' of humid air.

(With inputs from agencies.)