Since the beginning of August, the Solimões River has been dropping in level in front of the city of Tabatinga, in the interior of Amazonas. Because of the drought, some vessels travelling from Manaus, bringing cargo and passengers to the region of the triple border between Brazil, Peru and Colombia, are no longer able to reach the ports of the cities of Benjamin Constant and Atalaia do Norte. The appearance of sandbanks in the river is making it difficult to navigate to these locations. Traders in Tabatinga are using the canoes of the riverside communities to take goods to the towns affected by the drought. Fifty-three riverside and indigenous communities in the region are already facing difficulties in travelling. This situation has led the Brazilian Navy to restrict navigation at night. The drought directly affects the lives of the region's communities, with a shortage of drinking water, difficulties in food production and health problems.
Source: Amazon Agency