Amazon Faces Severe Drought Threats: Preparation for Crisis

The Amazon Basin, holding a significant portion of the world's fresh water, is entering a critical dry season. With river levels at historic lows, countries are implementing measures to address issues such as disrupted navigation and forest fires. The region is facing one of the worst droughts in recent history.

The Amazon Basin, which holds one-fifth of the world's fresh water, is starting the dry season with many rivers at critically low levels. Governments are preparing contingency measures for disrupted navigation and increasing forest fires.

The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), which includes Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela, stated that the basin is experiencing one of the most severe droughts in recent years. Rivers in the southwestern Amazon are at the lowest levels on record for this time of year, with the hardest-hit countries being Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil.

Brazil's federal water agency has declared a water shortage in the Madeira and Purus basins, areas near the size of Mexico. Emergency measures are being implemented in states like Acre and Amazonas. These steps aim to increase monitoring, mobilize resources, and request federal aid to mitigate the crisis.

(With inputs from agencies.)