Since 2023, the Amazon River has been affected by a severe drought. The consequences of the crisis are far-reaching, affecting local economies and resources.
In Colombia, the depleted river has isolated some rural Indigenous communities which depend on rain and river water to survive, especially for food, drinking water, and navigation. In particular, the lower river levels have impacted nearby communities’ ability to fish and travel to Leticia to sell crops.
This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image acquired on 25 October 2024 shows the exposed riverbeds of the Amazon River near the cities of Leticia, Colombia, Tabatinga, Brazil, and Santa Rosa de Yavari, Peru.
The ongoing drought and its widespread impacts in affected countries can be monitored with open data from the Copernicus Sentinel satellites, which provide key information for mapping bodies of water and supporting response operations.
Featured image credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery
