Severe drought grips the Amazon rainforest: The impact, cause and grim future

Source: The post is based on the article “Severe drought grips the Amazon rainforest: The impact, cause and grim future” published in “Indian express” on 19th October 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- environment- climate change GS3- disaster management- Drought

News: The Amazon has a severe drought. Rivers are dry. Many animals and people suffer. The Rio Negro River is very low. Wildfires increase. El Nino and warm oceans cause this. Amazon’s future is at risk.

About Amazon Drought

The Amazon is experiencing its worst drought in history, with the Rio Negro River reaching a record low of 13.59 metres. This has led to the death of many fish and river dolphins.

El Nino and high Atlantic Ocean temperatures are reducing rain, making matters worse.

This drought has also spiked wildfires in the Amazonas state to 2,700 in October, the highest in 25 years.

Communities, especially Indigenous ones, are suffering, lacking essentials like water and food.

What are the reasons for Amazon drought?

El Nino Effect:

El Nino causes an abnormal warming of waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

This warming can lead to extreme heat events around the world.

High Atlantic Ocean Temperatures:

The northern tropical Atlantic Ocean has unusually warm waters.

When this warm water heats the air, it moves to the Amazon.

This heated air stops clouds from forming and reduces rain.

Combined Impact of Both Phenomena:

The drought gets worse when El Nino and warm Atlantic waters happen at the same time.

Together, they affect a larger area of the Amazon.

What are the impacts of Amazon drought?

Wildlife Suffering:

High numbers of fish and river dolphins, known as boto, are dying.

Their decomposing bodies contaminate water supplies.

Human Communities Affected:

Indigenous villages face shortages of water, food, and medicine.

Approximately 500,000 people could be impacted by the end of October.

Ruth Martins, a community leader, mentioned unprecedented drought conditions.

Increase in Wildfires:

Dry conditions have led to 2,700 wildfires in the Amazonas state in October, a 25-year record.

Smoke from these fires has degraded air quality in Manaus, affecting residents’ health.

Economic Impact:

A major hydropower dam’s operations have halted due to the drought, impacting power supply.

What do studies say about Amazon’s future?

Frequency of Droughts:

If fossil fuel burning continues at the current rate, the Amazon could face major droughts almost every year by 2060.

Recovery from Droughts:

Over the past 20 years, the Amazon has become slower at recovering from long drought periods.

Tipping Point:

The Amazon is nearing a critical tipping point.

If crossed, it could transform from a lush forest into a drier savanna.

Release of Stored Carbon:

Such a transformation would release large amounts of stored carbon.

This would further accelerate global warming.

Deforestation Data:

In the past five decades, between 17% and 20% of the Amazon has been destroyed.

Experts emphasize reducing deforestation to safeguard the Amazon’s future.