Extreme Drought, Wildfire Smoke Leave Populations Stranded in Brazil’s Amazon

With low water levels, no road access, and airports closing due to smoke, Manaus residents say the economic and health consequences are devastating.
Extreme Drought, Wildfire Smoke Leave Populations Stranded in Brazil’s Amazon
Smoke billows from a fire in an area of the Amazon rainforest near Porto Velho, Rondonia State, Brazil, on Sept. 10, 2019. Bruno Kelly/Reuters
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A combination of drought and risky farming practices has created survival challenges for residents in the state of Amazonas in Brazil.

In some cases, entire communities have been cut off from commerce, water, and health care by severely low river levels, according to locals. A heavy blanket of smoke across the region is also affecting airport operations and sparking health concerns.

Autumn Spredemann
Autumn Spredemann
Author
Autumn is a South America-based reporter covering primarily Latin American issues for The Epoch Times.
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