Record Drought Dries Up Amazon's Key Waterways

A record drought has dramatically lowered water levels in the Amazon basin, turning once navigable waterways into dry riverbeds. The Solimoes River is at historic lows, endangering local wildlife and prompting environmental concerns. Climate change is cited as a major factor in worsening conditions, affecting vegetation and causing wildfires.

The Amazon basin is experiencing its worst drought on record, leading to historic lows in river water levels and causing once-navigable waterways to dry up completely.

The Solimoes River, originating from the Peruvian Andes and considered one of the Amazon's main tributaries, has recorded its lowest-ever water level in the Brazilian town of Tabatinga on the Colombian border.

Greenpeace spokesperson Romulo Batista pointed to a completely dried-up branch of the Solimoes in Tefé, where Lake Tefé has also dried, endangering the local freshwater dolphin population.

(With inputs from agencies.)