BRAZIL: Severe flooding in Amazon forces thousands of families to abandon their homes as water rose to near-record levels
Record ID:
333253
BRAZIL: Severe flooding in Amazon forces thousands of families to abandon their homes as water rose to near-record levels
- Title: BRAZIL: Severe flooding in Amazon forces thousands of families to abandon their homes as water rose to near-record levels
- Date: 5th May 2012
- Summary: AMAZONAS, BRAZIL (RECENT) (REUTERS) RAIN IN BAHIA VARIOUS OF OVERFLOODED RIVER CLOSE OF RIVER LEVEL VARIOUS OF MEN WORKING AT AMAZONAS' SEA PORT VARIOUS OF HOUSES NEAR RIVERS TRASH THROWN AT RIVER MAN AT HIS HOUSE RESEARCHER OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AMAZONAS' RESEARCH, JOCHEN SHONGART, IN OFFICE (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) RESEARCHER OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AMAZONAS' RESEARCH, JOCHEN SHONGART, SAYING: "This year's flood will surpass the volume of the 2009 flood. It will be the largest flood ever registered. At least that is what we can conclude from our database." AMAZONAS, BRAZIL (MAY 04, 2012) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF RIVER AMAZONAS, BRAZIL (MAY 03, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF OVERFLOODED RIVER AMAZONAS, BRAZIL (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS TRASH FLOATING IN THE RIVER (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) LOCAL RESIDENT, MARIA DE NAZARETH DOS SANTOS, SAYING: "I have seen houses flooded, everything filled with water. Children, animals, snakes and rats appear and enter the houses, all kinds of animals. " AMAZONAS, BRAZIL (MAY 03, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF DIRTY RIVER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOUSES AMAZONAS, BRAZIL (MAY 04, 2012) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WALKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OVERFLOODED RIVER AMAZONAS, BRAZIL (MAY 03, 2012) (REUTERS) CHILDREN WALKING THROUGH THE WATER AMAZONAS, BRAZIL (RECENT) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF OVERFLOODED RIVER MEN CLEANING DIRTY RIVER MEN PICKING UP WOOD MEN FIXING A TABLE PEOPLE BUILDING BARRIERS VARIOUS OF BOATS
- Embargoed: 20th May 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Brazil
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: Disasters,Environment
- Reuters ID: LVA5RB0SJ4MIQBDE9T4SM227Q48Z
- Story Text: Near-record flooding has displaced thousands of families in Brazil's Amazon forest, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency in 36 districts along the Rio Negro River.
Water levels at a measuring station on the Rio Negro in Manaus, the Amazon's largest city, were just 47 centimetres (18.5 inches) below the record set in 2009.
Weather forecasts indicate that the rivers may rise above the 2009 levels over the next 30 days.
Climate experts believe global warming may be driving wild climate swings that appear to be battering the Amazon more often than ever before.
Almost every year, the same communities suffer the opposite effect, with recurrent droughts that are equally concerning.
Researcher from the National Institute of Amazonas' Researches, Jochen Shongart, said the flooding will reach its peak this year.
"This year's flood will surpass the volume of the 2009 flood. It will be the largest flood ever registered. At least that is what we can conclude from our database," he said.
River dwellers across the Amazon basin are adding new floors to their stilt homes, in an attempt to stay above floodwaters during the wet season.
Flooding is common in the world's largest tropical rainforest, but this year the waters have been rising at an alarming rate.
Local residents, like Maria de Nazareth dos Santos, said it's very difficult.
"I have seen houses flooded, everything filled with water. Children, animals, snakes and rats appear and enter the houses. All kinds of animals," she said.
Brazil's federal government has announced a $5.5-million-dollar aid to help the worst-hit areas, but the resources are not expected to be available until the end of June.
Amazonas state officials said they have spent over $450 million dollars to help displaced families.
Meanwhile, in Brazil's northeast, families have been have been suffering from an extended drought caused by La Nina, which cools down Pacific waters. The weather phenomenon is also responsible for the Amazon flooding. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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