The Paraná has vanished
11/8/21 18:48![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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talkpoliticsUnprecedented drought has dried up the second largest river in South America, the Paraná. Its course begins in Brazil and runs for over 4,800 km through Paraguay and Argentina. The river gives life to huge tropical forests and farms. More than 80% of farmers in Argentina depend on this rier. In addition, Paraná is a key waterway for each of the countries through which it passes.
Currently, the water level in Paraná is the lowest since at least 1944, as a result of a prolonged drought in Southern Brazil, which began in 2019 and has not yet ended. It is not clear when this cycle will end, either.
Government officials in Argentina are now advising citizens to "save water" and catch rain for domestic and commercial use. In these dry conditions, the authorities are also urging people to stop burning waste or lighting fires to secure pastures.
As the level of Paraná continues to decline, thousands of forest fires have raged over the past two years in the region. Dried tropical vegetation is highly flammable, and the low river level dries up the canals, which usually help stop the fires. This is a vicious cycle out of which no exit is to be seen any time soon.
And in the meantime, Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has been one of the most outspoken climate change deniers.
Currently, the water level in Paraná is the lowest since at least 1944, as a result of a prolonged drought in Southern Brazil, which began in 2019 and has not yet ended. It is not clear when this cycle will end, either.
Government officials in Argentina are now advising citizens to "save water" and catch rain for domestic and commercial use. In these dry conditions, the authorities are also urging people to stop burning waste or lighting fires to secure pastures.
As the level of Paraná continues to decline, thousands of forest fires have raged over the past two years in the region. Dried tropical vegetation is highly flammable, and the low river level dries up the canals, which usually help stop the fires. This is a vicious cycle out of which no exit is to be seen any time soon.
And in the meantime, Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has been one of the most outspoken climate change deniers.
