The dry season has reached its peak again with the rivers drying out. In recent years, the water levels have consistently been lower than in the past, leading to numerous problems. This year, it’s akin to a desert in the truest sense of the word. The river is currently almost exactly 1,000 meters further from our village than when it’s full.
As a consequence, entire tributaries dry up, making it impossible for people to travel to the city for food. Even graver is the scarcity of drinking water in some communities. The situation is so dire that the government’s supply ships partially can’t even reach the people, and likewise, the people can’t get to the nearest embarcation. Traveling many kilometers under the scorching sun, through mud and over rocks, is exceedingly difficult. TukTuk transporters, sporadically available in villages, either malfunction or can’t navigate the mud.
In our village, we have to traverse about 2.5 km of Mars-like terrain to find a boat mooring. One TukTuk has already broken down. The second one is still operational. But if that fails, we’re in deep trouble. Nonetheless, there’s hope. Residents are laboring tirelessly, even using their own belongings, to reduce the 2.5 km distance to 1 km, carving a path to the riverbank to make it accessible for TukTuks and pedestrians.
Moreover, the Amazon is being ravaged by fires everywhere. It’s not just hearsay; you can see and feel the consequences, with the densest smog experienced in weeks. Just yesterday and today (10/12/2023), the smog is so thick that one can feel the fine dust particles in their throat. This is perilous, especially for those with respiratory conditions and for those who work outdoors. For context, today’s fine dust measurement for sizes 1.0 / 2.5 / 10 was 218 / 288 / 331. I believe the EU recommends a maximum of 25 for one of these values! During the rainy season, our measurements are typically 2 / 2 / 3. The actual values are nearly 100 times higher.
To add to the troubles, power outages now last almost triple the usual duration. The energy provider’s repair teams grapple with mud and harsh conditions to reach and fix the source of the outage. Without electricity, there’s no refrigeration, rendering food supplies unusable in already crisis-stricken areas.
Smog, severe drought, logistical hurdles, supply shortages, prolonged power outages, and other issues are putting immense strain on the inhabitants of the Amazon. The resilience of the community is evident as everyone battles these adversities. I estimate that these conditions will persist for another six weeks before any hope for improvement.
If you wish to extend a helping hand, please donate at https://crocodilo-e-piranha.org. We, Crocodilo & Piranha, assure that your donations will be put to immediate use, as we are present and active in the affected area. My wife has deep ties with numerous communities and organizes or supports relief efforts whenever finances allow.
