Amazon leaders prepare for intense 2026 El Niño

Amazonian community leaders are utilizing lessons learned from previous extreme weather events to prepare for a potentially intense El Niño phenomenon expected in 2026. According to the World Meteorological Organization, the upcoming cycle may be significantly strong, posing risks to the region.

Past El Niño events have caused severe consequences in the Amazon, including record-breaking wildfires, extreme droughts that isolated riverine communities, and significant losses in family agriculture. For instance, the 1998 drought in Roraima led to approximately 790,000 hectares burned.

In response to these recurring threats, local leaders and indigenous activists, such as Sinéia Wapichana, are focusing on network articulation and community experience to build resilience, even in the absence of structured public policies.