China News Service, Manaus, October 16: Title: Severe drought in Amazonas, Brazil: Showers disperse the smoke, music and football are inspiring
China News Service reporter Lin Chunyin
The shower in the early morning of the 15th was a rare rain in the Brazilian Amazon in the past two months. The thick smoke that has shrouded Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state, due to forest fires in recent days has dissipated a lot. But there was still a strong smell of fireworks in the air.
On October 15, local time, showers dispersed the thick smoke from forest fires in Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state in Brazil, but the air was still filled with a strong smell of fireworks.Photo by China News Service reporter Lin Chunyin
On the 15th, at a hotel near the airport, 34-year-old hotel waiter Ronnie was giving directions to tourists while peeking at the live football match on his mobile phone.
At 17:00 that day, the first match of the Brazilian Football League C final was fiercely fought at the Amazon Stadium. Amazon Football Club faced Bruschi Football Club. In the live broadcast, the audience filled the venue, cheering and shouting.
Due to the urgent drought situation, Manaus recently declared a state of emergency. However, since October, the local drought has not abated and fire alarms have continued. Due to air quality problems caused by the fire, Manaus has been rated as “the worst air quality in the world” by the country’s environmental protection agency for many days in a row. The local area has previously suspended many outdoor events and large-scale activities such as international marathons.
According to data from Brazil’s National Institute of Space Research, the number of wildfires in the Amazon in October was the highest in 25 years. As of the 12th, 2,770 fires had occurred, an increase of 154% over the same period in 2022. Ronnie told reporters that the fire may have been caused by the local habit of setting fires in forest farms to facilitate deforestation or pasture clearing.
“Rain will bring good luck.” Ronnie was very happy that the football match could come as scheduled. “I really hope that our players can ‘walk out of the rainforest’ (win) this year.”
However, showers cannot solve the long drought. Due to the ongoing drought, many tributaries of the Amazon River are drying up, leaving many riverside communities without food and drinking water. According to data recently released by the Amazon State Civil Defense Department, more than 270,000 people have been affected by the disaster in Amazon State. Including Manaus, 42 towns in Amazonas state have declared a state of emergency, 18 towns are on alert, and only 2 towns are in normal conditions.
The Amazon River, the largest river in the world by volume, also faces the dilemma of exposed riverbeds.
“Ponta Negra Beach” on the Amazon River is a famous tourist attraction in Manaus. Due to the sharp drop in tourists, beach cleaner Gerson and seven or eight other workers were busy all afternoon, but they didn’t pick up much trash.
On October 15, Ponta Negra beach on the Amazon River, a famous tourist attraction in Manaus. The river water has receded and large areas of the river bed have been exposed for more than two months.Photo by China News Service reporter Lin Chunyin
“Originally, the river water would reach the mango tree on the bank.” Gerson pointed to the river bank two hundred meters away and said: “It has been drying for two months. I have never seen such a severe situation in my more than ten years of work. Drought.”
A local band is holding a beach concert. Among the onlookers, many young people sat on the ground carrying motorcycle helmets.
A girl named Adrianna told reporters that her family lives on the shores of Lake Plaquecuara in the eastern district of Manaus. It used to be accessible by boat, but Lake Plaquecuara was completely dry two days ago.
The local education department has told dozens of schools in the Riverside community to end the school year early. Adriana’s younger siblings are only able to attend classes remotely from home.
Adrianna and her companions rode a “long and difficult road” by bicycle, went into the city to buy daily necessities, and made a special trip to the concert. “We miss the singing of Ponta Negra.” The girl said, “And sitting by the Amazon River, I will feel at ease seeing that the river is still there.” (End)
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2023-10-16 12:49:02
