MANAUS, Brazil (AP) — One of the most important tributaries of the Amazon has fallen to the lowest level in 122 years, Brazil the geological survey said on Friday, as a result of a severe drought which has devastated the Amazon rainforest and other parts of the country.
The level of the Negro River at the Port of Manaus was 12.66 meters on Friday, compared to a normal level of about 21 meters. The previous record low was recorded last year, but towards the end of October.
According to the Geological Survey’s forecasts, the Negro River’s water level could drop further in the coming weeks based on forecasts for low rainfall in upstream areas. Andre Martinelli, the agency’s hydrology manager in Manaus, said the river is expected to continue to recede until the end of the month.
Water levels in the Brazilian Amazon always rise and fall with the rainy and dry seasons, but this year’s dry portion was much worse than normal. All major rivers in the Amazon basin are at critical levels, including the Madeira River, the Amazon’s longest tributary.
The Negro River drains about 10% of the Amazon Basin and is the sixth largest in the world by water volume. Manaus, the largest city in the rainforest, is where the Negro flows into the Amazon.