- Water levels in many of the rivers in the Amazon basin have reached their lowest on record amid a continuing drought.
- The Madeira river, a major tributary to the Amazon, had fallen to just 48cm in the city of Porto Velho.
- The Solimões river has also fallen to its lowest level on record in Tabatinga, on Brazil’s border with Colombia.
The Amazonian region is grappling with a severe drought that has pushed river levels to unprecedented lows. The drought, which began in 2023, has had a devastating impact on the basin’s biodiversity and communities, reports Safety4sea.
According to NorthStandard, correspondent Rabb Carvalho brings an updates related to the Amazon drought.
Update on Amazon drought
The state of Amazonas is experiencing an unprecedented drought, marking one of the worst environmental crises in the past 44 years. Governor Wilson Lima has declared a state of emergency across all 62 municipalities. According to the National Center for Monitoring and Alerting Natural Disasters (Cemaden), this drought threatens over 300,000 people, with severe consequences for public health, water supply, and transportation.
The drought in the Amazon does not only affect the environment; its consequences are being felt in transportation, health and the supply of essential resources.
Operational Restrictions due to these severe drought conditions, several navigation restrictions have been implemented:
- Amazon River, Tabocal Passage, and Madeira River Estuary: Vessels should limit navigation to daytime operations when water levels are 1.4 times or less than the vessel’s draft. Recommend to maintain the minimum speed required.
- Under Keel Clearance (UKC): Minimum values are set at 0.5 meters for general cargo vessels and up to 1.0 meter for tankers carrying hazardous materials. Safety factors must be considered to ensure safe operations.
Recommendations for shipowners
- Monitoring river conditions daily.
- Staying informed about local navigation restrictions and weather forecasts.
- Adjusting operations and draft requirements to navigate safely during this period.
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Source: Safety4sea
