The Brazilian Amazon is facing an unprecedented environmental crisis as more than 100 dolphins and thousands of fish are discovered dead due to severe drought and record-breaking high temperatures gripping the region. Experts attribute the dire situation to water temperatures reaching a historic 39°C (102°F) in some parts of the Amazon, making it increasingly challenging for wildlife to endure.
The Mamiraua Institute, a Brazilian government-funded research facility, reported the distressing findings of dead dolphins in Lake Tefe, located in the northern part of the country. While it is still early to pinpoint the exact cause of this extreme event, experts believe it is linked to the ongoing drought period and the soaring temperatures in Lake Tefe.
Concerns mount as scientists fear the possibility of additional dolphin and wildlife casualties, with the severe drought conditions expected to persist over the next couple of weeks. Dead fish are accumulating in rivers flowing through the Amazon rainforest, impacting water quality and contaminating supplies for over 110,000 people.
The drought has led to a significant drop in water levels, making it harder for both wildlife and communities to access essential resources. Reports from the Brazilian city Manacapuru describe fish attempting to escape the increasingly shallow, scorching waters.
Scientists point to the El Niño weather phenomenon as a contributing factor, intensifying the pressure on the region. This phenomenon, originating in the Pacific Ocean, adds to the warming of the world by generating increased heat. The northern Amazon is experiencing below-average rainfall, exacerbating the challenges faced by the ecosystem.
The Amazon Working Group, representing 503 organizations, highlights a daily drop of 20cm (8 inches) in water levels along one tributary of the Amazon River. Ane Alencar, science director at the Institute for Amazonian Environmental Research, underscores the impact of climate change on the region, suggesting that the current situation may foreshadow the new normal faced by the Amazon in the future.
Source: SKYNEWS
