Towns next to the Amazon, the largest river in the world, lack drinking water

As the drought continues in the Amazonthe Brazilian authorities are striving to bring food and water to thousands of isolated populations in the vast territory where the only means of transportation is by river.

In the state of Amazonas, 59 of its 62 municipalities, with 633,000 inhabitants, are in a state of emergency. In Manaus, the capital, the Negro River, a major tributary of the Amazon, is at its lowest level since records began 121 years ago.

One of the most affected towns is Careiro da Varzea, on the banks of the Amazon near Manaus. On Tuesday, the municipality distributed emergency equipment using a raft designed for transporting livestock.

The Associated Press accompanied the delivery to two locations. The raft docked several kilometers away from them, forcing the inhabitants, mainly farmers and fishermen, to walk long distances along river beds converted into endless banks of sand and mud.

Each family received a package of basic foodstuffs and 20 liters of water, enough for a few days but a heavy burden to carry in the scorching heat.

“I will have to carry the food package on my back for half an hour.”Moisés Batista de Souza, a farmer in the small town of Sao Lazaro, told the AP. He said the biggest problem is drinking water. The nearest fountain requires a long walk from his house.

“Everyone in Careiro da Vareza has been affected by the drought”said Jean Costa de Souza, head of civil defense for this municipality of 19,600 inhabitants, mostly in rural areas. “Unfortunately, people don’t have water. “Some lost their crops and others were unable to transport their produce.”

Costa de Souza said that the municipality will complete the delivery of supplies to rural populations next week. They are planning two more deliveries, but that depends on the aid sent by the state and federal governments.

Droughts are part of the Amazon climate cycle, with light rains from May to October in most of the jungle. This year, two phenomena have prolonged it: the warming of tropical waters in the northern Atlantic and El Niño – the warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific – which will reach its peak between December and January.

Source: AP