The Brazilian Institute for Space Research (INPE) reported that South America is experiencing one of the droughts further criticism in years. The phenomenon led to at least 350 thousand 370 fires forests in the region, especially in the Amazon.
The institute indicated that the fires of 2024 are the more destructive over the past 15 years, exceeding 344,391 incidents by 2023.
In Brazilbetween August and September, 128 thousand fire outbreaks were recorded. These devastated 11.9 million hectares with native vegetationmostly in rural formations. Half of them are located in the Amazon, according to an analysis by Mapbiomas.
These Brazilian disasters released 31.5 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), increasing the figures by 60 percent compared to the previous year.
In addition to the fires, the drought has drastically reduced the flow of important rivers, isolating rural communities and complicating the transport of people who depend on the river, as well as various goods.
In Boliviathe government declared a “national emergency” following the destruction of more than 3.8 million hectares of forests and grasslands.
Miguel Vargas, director of the Center for Legal Studies and Social Research (Cejis), said that this phenomenon threatens the survival of 34 indigenous peoples in the regions of Santa Cruz and Beni.
In addition, Peruwhich faces 34 active fires and 21 controlled fires, 234 registered So far this year, a state of emergency has also been declared in the regions of San Martín, Ucayali and Amazonas to facilitate mitigation efforts.
While in Colombiamore than 19 thousand 430 hectares of forest were consumed by 23 fires, mobilizing helicopters and aircraft to fight the flames. Carlos Carrillo, director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, stressed that some fires could take a while to extinguish, warning the population.
In Argentinawith fewer fire outbreaks, the risk of new outbreaks persists in provinces such as Salta, La Rioja, Santa Fe and Córdoba, where they were reported 1,500 fires affecting more than 30 thousand hectares.
In Paraguaythe Human Rights Coordinator (Codehupy) requested a declaration of “emergency” in the Paraguayan Chaco due to water shortages, droughts and recurrent fires.
For its part, Ecuador faces fires that ravage more than 34 thousand hectaresmost of them since August, when the drought intensified. In addition, the water crisis is affecting hydroelectric plants, forcing the government to implement eight-hour nightly blackouts.
Finally, Chilewent through a wave of fires in February that left 137 dead in Valparaisorepresenting a tragic year compared to others, although the surface area damaged is smaller than in previous years.
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2024-09-24 07:06:43