The Brazilian Amazon is experiencing its worst period of fires in the last twenty years even though deforestation has decreased. This is partly due to a severe drought. After a historic level in 2023, it is possible that the drought will exceed a new record this year.
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With our correspondent in Rio de Janeiro, Sarah Cozzolino
At Brazilthe image is strong and foreshadows the worst: an 85-year-old fisherman, covered in mud and blending into the desolate landscape, stuck in the middle of a dry river. Belmiro Tavares, a fisherman in the state of Amazonas, had left on July 23 with his small boat. He was found six days later in a serious state of dehydration.
In the states of Rondonia, Acre, and Amazonas, the main rivers have already started to dry up. The situation has been described as ” critical ” by the Brazilian Water Agency. With less rainfall this year, the drought started earlier and helped worsen the fires.
Some scientists speak of a process of savannahization of the Amazon like José Francisco Gonçalves, from the University of Brasilia. For him, extreme droughts are no longer compensated by periods of flooding. The variation curve is getting closer and closer to drought. We are transforming South America at such a high speed that organisms are unable to adapt. ” he explains.
In 2023photos of dead pink dolphins or the highly prized Pirarucu, the giant Amazonian fish, had gone around the world. This year, the drought is set to be dramatic again.
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