The Amazon River and its tributaries are currently experiencing critically low water levels as of September 2025, continuing a severe drought crisis that has persisted for nearly two years. The situation represents the most intense drought in the region's recorded history since monitoring began in the 1950s.rainforestfoundation+3
Current Water Level Status
Rio Negro in Manaus
The Rio Negro at the Port of Manaus, a key indicator for Amazon water conditions, is currently at 26.38 meters as of early September 2025. This level shows the river in a "continuous low-water period" with regular daily declines. While these levels are approaching the normal range for this time of year, they remain concerning given the sustained drought conditions.one-line+1
The river began its recession period on July 9, 2025, with an accumulated decrease of 67 centimeters by late July. The river has been dropping at an average rate of 3 centimeters per day, with some periods showing declines of up to 7 inches daily.cnn+2
Historical Context and Records
In October 2024, the Rio Negro reached its lowest level in 122 years at just 12.66 meters, breaking previous records set in 2023. The Madeira River, the Amazon's largest tributary, similarly hit historic lows of just 48 centimeters at Porto Velho in September 2024, compared to its normal level of 3.32 meters.bbc+4
The Solimões River, which merges with the Rio Negro to form the Amazon River proper, recorded levels 4.25 meters below average in Tabatinga during September 2024, with some sections completely dried up.usnews+1
Impact on Navigation and Commerce
Shipping Restrictions
Major shipping companies have implemented Low Water Surcharges (LWS) for cargo operations to and from Manaus, with fees ranging from $975 to $1,980 per container. Maersk estimates that navigation restrictions for large vessels will begin around October 28, 2025, while some companies anticipate potential river closures between weeks 44-46 (late October to mid-November).maersk+3
Transportation Disruptions
The low water levels are severely impacting river transportation, which serves as the primary lifeline for Amazon communities. Grain transportation has been suspended on several tributaries, and many Indigenous communities remain isolated due to impassable waterways.news.mongabay+2
Environmental and Climate Factors
Drought Conditions Continue
The current drought represents an 18-month crisis that began in 2023, making it the most severe since national monitoring started around 1954. Climate change has made such extreme weather events up to 30 times more likely, with rising global temperatures intensifying drying trends across the Amazon basin.acaps+1
Despite some rainfall in early 2025 that provided temporary relief and caused localized flooding in February-March, the region has not recovered to normal moisture levels. Scientists predict the Amazon may not fully regain moisture levels until 2026.isciences+2
Deforestation's Role
Recent research indicates that deforestation is playing a greater role than previously expected in reducing rainfall across the Amazon. In the first half of 2025, deforestation rates were already 27% higher than the same period in previous years, creating a vicious cycle where forest loss reduces rainfall, leading to drier conditions and increased fire risk.nytimes+2
Outlook for Late 2025
Water levels are expected to continue declining through the traditional dry season, which typically lasts until November. The 2025 rainy season started late and weaker than usual, and forecasts suggest it may not provide sufficient precipitation to fully restore river levels.ecowatch+2
La Niña conditions that began in January 2025 typically bring above-average rainfall to northern Brazil, but their effects may be weakened by elevated global temperatures. Current predictions indicate that most Amazon states are experiencing a below-average rainy season as of late January 2025.acaps
The situation continues to pose significant challenges for the estimated half million people affected by drought conditions across Amazon municipalities, with over 62 municipalities in Amazonas state alone under emergency declarations.reuters
- https://rainforestfoundation.org/our-work/where-we-work/amazon-region/amazon-rainforest-drought/
- https://www.acaps.org/fileadmin/Data_Product/Main_media/20250128_ACAPS_BRAZIL_-_Impact_of_Drought_in_the_Brazilian_Amazon_and_2025_Outlook_.pdf
- https://www.ecowatch.com/amazon-rainforest-rivers-drought-brazil-climate-change-2024.html
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/climate/drought-brazil-amazon-1.7343164
- https://br.one-line.com/en/news/update4-one-cx1-service-monitoring-rio-negro-manaus
- https://br.one-line.com/en/news/update-6-one-cx1-monitoring-2025-manaus-dry-season
- https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/30/climate/amazon-rivers-drought-satellite-pictures
- https://www.maersk.com/news/articles/2025/07/18/low-water-surcharge-lwc-manaus-2025
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd6qvpe0dxqo
- https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/river-level-amazon-rainforest-port-hits-122-year-low-amid-drought-2024-10-04/
- https://www.copernicus.eu/en/media/image-day-gallery/record-drought-rio-negro
- https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2024-09-17/worst-drought-on-record-lowers-amazon-rivers-to-all-time-lows
- https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/worst-drought-record-lowers-amazon-rivers-all-time-lows-2024-09-18/
- https://www.maersk.com/news/articles/2025/06/06/manaus-brazil-low-water-season-2025-cargo-anticipation
- https://www.cma-cgm.com/news/5180/low-water-surcharge-in-manaus-brazil
- https://news.mongabay.com/2025/07/report-reveals-severe-impact-of-last-years-drought-on-amazonian-communities/
- https://news.mongabay.com/2025/05/amazon-people-brace-for-a-drier-future-along-the-endangered-madeira-river/
- https://www.isciences.com/blog/2025/05/06/proof-point-surplus-following-drought-in-the-amazon-rainforest
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/climate/amazon-brazil-drought-rain-deforestation.html
- https://www.circleofblue.org/newsletter/the-stream-september-4-2025-declining-precipitation-in-amazon-rainforest-is-linked-to-deforestation-study-suggests/
- https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/153447/intense-widespread-drought-grips-south-america
- https://www.fairplanet.org/story/amazon-river-the-challenges-of-amphibian-indigenous-peoples/
- https://mykn.kuehne-nagel.com/news/article/amazon-rive-manaus-port-drought-shipping
- https://phys.org/news/2025-09-mirror-image-molecules-reveal-drought.html
- https://datamarnews.com/noticias/hapag-lloyd-to-impose-surcharge-on-manaus-cargo-due-to-low-amazon-river-levels/
- https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/amazon-rivers-low-water-levels-bring-fresh-challenges-locals-2024-09-08/
- https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2025GL116180
- https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/amazon-river-levels-fall-due-lack-rain-hurting-navigation-2024-09-02/
- https://www.isciences.com/blog/2024/09/22/south-america-exceptional-deficts-continue-throughout-amazon-rainforest
- https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/zh/services-information/news/2025/09/update-on-the-implementation-of-the-low-water-surcharge-to-from-.headless.html
- https://www.instagram.com/p/DMpOiAHuyi_/
- https://www.cma-cgm.com/news/5156/low-water-surcharge-in-manaus-brazil
No comments:
Post a Comment