S.O.S.: Amazon is in a Drought

S.O.S.: The Amazon is in a Drought

By~Nichole Rose

Brazil’s rivers have hit an all time low, leaving 38 already impoverished communities at the mercy of emergency aid. This is approximately 62,000 people. Thousands of boats are stranded on dry river beds. The drop in water level has exposed banks of sand and rock, preventing the river from being navigable. The communities depend heavily on the river to transportation and fishing. The fish are dying due to the shallower, warmer water.

The Rio Negro River, a large black water river that runs through the Amazon dropped on Sunday to 45 feet. The Brazilian Geological Service states this is the lowest it has been since record keeping began on the river in 1902.  Last year, the area received a widespread flood that raised the level to the Rio Negro River to a record high of 98 feet.

"I've worked in the region about 30 years and never seen anything like the last few years. This has everything to do with climate change." said Rosival Dias, a coordinator with the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation environmental group who has visited affected areas.

The Brazilian Government announced that they are giving $13.5 million for emergency aid along with 600 tons of food that must be carried by plane.