Drought Unleashes Stunning Transformation: Witness a Floating Village Stranded on an Arid Amazon Lakebed
As severe drought grips the Amazon, a floating village in Brazil finds itself stranded on a dry lakebed, grappling with dire consequences like food scarcity, water shortage, and fuel unavailability
Due to an intense drought in the Amazon region of Brazil, a floating village has become stranded on the dried-up bed of Lake Puraquequara. This dire situation has caused significant difficulties for the local communities, who are now struggling to obtain food, clean water, and fuel. The receding water levels have left boats and floating structures trapped in the muddy surroundings, amplifying the challenges faced by the villagers.
Earlier this month, over a hundred river dolphins were found dead on the shore as water temperatures rose, highlighting the destructive effects of heat and drought in this region of Brazil. Authorities predict that the situation will worsen. The Rio Negro river system, including Lake Puraquequara, has reached near-record low water levels since late September, resulting in significant consequences. A spokesperson from the state's civil defense authority stated that the declining water levels are causing a profound impact.
Local residents, in a desperate move, have started excavating wells in the parched lakebed with the hope of accessing water. Isaac Rodrigues, a local resident, conveyed to Reuters the bleak situation of their abandoned shops due to lack of customers. The isolation caused by the inability of boats to navigate in and out of the lake has left them with no choice but to remain in the area, waiting for divine intervention in the form of water.
Ivalmir Silva digs a well to obtain water at Lake Puraquequara in Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, on October 6, 2023.
According to the civil defense authority, 42 out of the 62 municipalities in the state are currently experiencing an emergency situation due to a severe drought. This has resulted in over 300,000 people being affected.
The situation is anticipated to deteriorate further, impacting around 500,000 individuals and 50 municipalities in the coming weeks. The spokesperson for the state authority mentioned that this is expected to continue for a few months due to the decrease in rainfall levels. In response, Amazonas Gov. Wilson Lima declared a state of emergency and unveiled a set of relief measures, including the distribution of food to those most affected by the drought.
"There are many people already having difficulty accessing food, food security, drinking water and other important inputs," he said in a statement at the time.
Boats and houseboats stranded on Lake Puraquequara in Manaus, Brazil, October 6, 2023.
Bruno Kelly/Reuters
The severe drought is also causing widespread devastation to the wildlife inhabiting the rivers of the states.
In Lake Tefé, located west of Manaus, an alarming occurrence took place in early October when over 100 dolphins were found dead. Scientists suspect that the exceptionally high water temperatures may have played a significant role in these tragic deaths.
According to our experts, it is still too early to determine the exact cause of this unprecedented event. However, it is undeniably linked to the prolonged drought period and the soaring temperatures in Lake Tefé. In certain areas, the thermometer has surpassed a scorching 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit). These remarks were conveyed by the institute and reported by CNN affiliate CNN Brasil.
On October 6, 2023, in Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, Lake Puraquequarain was observed. The ongoing drought has resulted in river depletion, leading to challenging conditions for intercity transportation within the state of Amazonas.
Stranded boats on Puraquequara Lake, October 6, 2023.
The current dry season in the Amazon has been worsened by El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon originating in the tropical Pacific Ocean and impacting global weather.
The long-term trend of global warming is causing more frequent and severe extreme weather events, such as drought and heat, which is the underlying factor of El Niño. As South America, including Brazil, transitions from winter to spring, the region is experiencing widespread and devastating heatwaves.
A study published Tuesday by the World Weather Attribution initiative stated that the extreme heat in August and September, where temperatures in Brazil surpassed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), was made at least 100 times more probable due to the human-induced climate crisis. Reporting assistance provided by CNN's Duarte Mendonça.
