Drought has now affected 146,425 families in Amazonas, Brazil's largest state by area, according to the state civil defence agency, The Rio Times reported. Forty-seven of the state's 62 municipalities have declared a state of emergency, and the remaining 15, including the capital Manaus, are on alert.
The agency's bulletin, issued on Monday 2 November, listed Parintins, Tefé, Coari, Manacapuru, Lábrea and Humaitá among the areas in emergency, while Itacoatiara, Tabatinga and São Gabriel da Cachoeira are among those on alert. Because the figures count households rather than individuals, the number of people affected is higher. In much of Amazonas rivers serve as the main transport routes, so low water levels can cut communities off. Air quality in Parintins was rated at the bulletin's worst grade on Monday morning.
Source: The Rio Times