5 DECEMBER 1997. BRAZIL: CLIMATE

Mario Osava of InterPress Service reports that ENSO is causing "one of the most prolonged and intense droughts in the history of the Amazonian region." This has reduced water levels and normal flooding of the Amazon, increasing the incidence of fires (see 9 October 1997. Brazil: Climate). Manaus is suffering from smoke, leading to a several-day airport shutdown and reduced electricity because of reduced hydro-electric capacity. Lower water levels are also restricting river navigation. Hatchling river turtles are also dying as their nests are now far from the receding waterline. Similar events occurred in 1983, the year of the last major ENSO event.-- from InterPress Service <online@ips.org>.