South America's mighty Amazon River, often celebrated as the lifeblood of the continent, is facing an unprecedented crisis as water levels in Colombia drop by up to 90%, according to a new government report. The shocking decline, driven by a continent-wide drought, has left boats stranded, ecosystems vulnerable, and Indigenous communities scrambling for survival.
Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) revealed Thursday that climate change-fueled drought has caused water levels to plunge dramatically over the past three months. Iconic stretches of the river near Leticia—the capital of Colombia’s Amazonas department—now resemble cracked mudflats rather than flowing waterways.
‘This isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a humanitarian one,’ the UNGRD warned, noting that Indigenous populations relying on the river for food and transportation are disproportionately affected. Meanwhile, wildfires raging across Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru have compounded the crisis, turning the Amazon’s lush landscapes into tinderboxes.
The Amazon River, which snakes through eight South American countries, is home to 10% of Earth’s biodiversity. Experts warn that prolonged drought could disrupt global weather patterns and accelerate species loss. As climate records keep breaking, this crisis serves as a stark reminder: the clock is ticking.
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