The population of Porto Velho, in Rondônia, faces difficulties due to the combination of drought and fires . The Madeira River, which flows through the city, reached a level of 0.96 meters the lowest level observed since the beginning of the Brazilian Geological Service’s historical series, 60 years ago.
According to the president of the Association of Ecotourism Agents and River Taxis of the Jamari River and Surrounding Areas of the Madeira River, Nagila Maria Paula de Oliveira, the transportation of passengers and cargo became unfeasible in several stretches of the river leaving isolated populations without access to basic essential services.
“In some places you have to walk kilometers where the river passes, and in other places, like the mouth of the Jamari, only the flag bearers can get there. [transporte fluvial] smaller ones, which carry up to five passengers,” he explained.
Nagila, who lives in the district of São Carlos do Jamari, said that artesian wells there are limited due to the low volume of water, and in places where this structure does not exist, the municipal administration had to distribute mineral water.
According to Civil Defense, during the period from August to October, the delivery of 120 thousand liters of mineral water is planned for the communities of Silveira, São Miguel, Mutuns, Pau D’Arco, Cujubim, Bom Jardim and Marmelo by land, and the vessels will serve the communities of Curicacas, Pombal, São José, Ilha Nova and Conceição do Galera.
The region also remains covered in smoke from the fires that are raging across the state. According to the Burning Program of the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), in recent weeks the state has recorded 56 fire outbreaks, which could represent hundreds of fire fronts. Porto Velho appears as the 23rd municipality with the most areas affected by fire between Sunday (8) and this Monday (9).
“There are a lot of people feeling sick and the smoke is so bad that we can barely see the river. ”, said Nagila.
On Friday (6), the Municipal Health Department released guidelines to the population on how to minimize the impacts of the fires and the dry climate, with simple measures such as maintaining hydration, inhaling saline solution, humidifying the environment, protecting the eyes, and not using fire to burn garbage.
The state government reported having intensified actions to combat fires, with the mobilization of several state agencies and the support of federal institutions.
This content was originally published in Drought in the Madeira River makes it impossible for passengers and cargo to navigate several stretches in Porto Velho (RO) on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil

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