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AP: In Colombia, Amazon River's extreme drought falls hard on Indigenous communities
https://apnews.com/article/amazon-river-drought-indigenous-water-aid-colombia-a3a5cfacf4099c7372e52b30ab7e86d5In Colombia, Amazon River’s extreme drought falls hard on Indigenous communities
By STEVEN GRATTAN
Updated 9:38 AM EDT, October 24, 2024
LETICIA, Colombia (AP) — Marciano Flores stood knee-deep in the Amazon River with the rest of his crew, ready to haul in a giant net as a man in a canoe circled in an attempt to drive fish their way. At 69, after a life of working the river, Flores can tell at a glance just the right spots to seek a catch he can sell at the market.
But standing here a year ago would have been impossible, with the river far above his head. Flores has never seen the Amazon so low, and the men’s net came up empty before they relocated downriver and caught a few small fish. A declining catch is forcing him and his fellow fishermen to search farther and farther down the river each day, and costing him more in fuel too.
“The drought has hit me hard,” said Flores, of the Cocama Indigenous community. “When the water’s low, the fish die, so there’s nothing to get.”
…
The Amazon River naturally fluctuates during the dry and rainy seasons. But since last year a dramatic drop has been evident, most critical in Brazil. Now the phenomenon is spreading into other Amazon nations, wreaking havoc on local economies and food supplies.
…
By STEVEN GRATTAN
Updated 9:38 AM EDT, October 24, 2024
LETICIA, Colombia (AP) — Marciano Flores stood knee-deep in the Amazon River with the rest of his crew, ready to haul in a giant net as a man in a canoe circled in an attempt to drive fish their way. At 69, after a life of working the river, Flores can tell at a glance just the right spots to seek a catch he can sell at the market.
But standing here a year ago would have been impossible, with the river far above his head. Flores has never seen the Amazon so low, and the men’s net came up empty before they relocated downriver and caught a few small fish. A declining catch is forcing him and his fellow fishermen to search farther and farther down the river each day, and costing him more in fuel too.
“The drought has hit me hard,” said Flores, of the Cocama Indigenous community. “When the water’s low, the fish die, so there’s nothing to get.”
…
The Amazon River naturally fluctuates during the dry and rainy seasons. But since last year a dramatic drop has been evident, most critical in Brazil. Now the phenomenon is spreading into other Amazon nations, wreaking havoc on local economies and food supplies.
…