A dried-up stretch of the Amazon River near Manacapuru in Brazil’s Amazonas state, Nov. 3, 2023.
Photographer: Avener PradoWeather & Science
Parched Rivers, Withered Crops Show Dire Impact of Amazon Drought
The historic drought in the Brazilian Amazon has imperiled the livelihoods of small farmers and fishermen and slowed shipments of grains and goods.
Justino Lira picked at anemic-looking green beans on his parcel of land near the Amazon River.
The drought this year ruined almost all of his batches of beans, cabbage, corn, cassava and okra. Hardly anything survived. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Lira, 63.