Brazil's Indigenous communities hit by severe Amazon drought: Video

Several tributaries of the Amazon River, one of the world's largest, are now facing a "critical water shortage," according to Brazil’s National Water Agency (ANA). Among the hardest hit are the Iriri and Xingú rivers, which feed the Belo Monte hydroelectric plant, a key provider of 11% of the country’s electricity. Water levels are nearing historic lows, significantly affecting energy production, the AFP reports.

Marineuza Pontes, a 50-year-old teacher from the Santo Antonio community, shared the devastating impact the drought is having on daily life. "I was born and raised here, and we've rarely seen the river like this. In the past, it would dry up every seven or eight years, but now it's happening back-to-back. Last year the river dried up completely, and this year it's the same," she said.

The drought has also caused severe electricity shortages, leaving residents without power. "Our biggest problem is the lack of electricity," Pontes explained. "We have to walk a kilometre just to get ice, which we need to keep our food from spoiling. Our diet relies heavily on fish, and without ice, preserving it becomes impossible." 

Tourism in the region has also taken a hit as Cilene Santos, a 47-year-old tour guide, described the challenges of navigating the dried-up rivers. "The sandbanks are everywhere, and we constantly worry about our boat hitting one and damaging the propeller," she said.

Authorities have declared a "critical water resource shortage" in the region as water levels in the rivers remain well below their seasonal averages. The Belo Monte hydroelectric plant is operating at reduced capacity due to the drought, further compounding Brazil's energy challenges.