Brazil readies federal and municipal response to intense El Niño

The municipality of São Mateus in Brazil's Espírito Santo state has created a Water Crisis Committee to anticipate and mitigate the effects of a possible strong El Niño episode expected in the second half of 2026. The committee brings together municipal departments, the local water utility, universities, the state public prosecutor, the fire brigade and private sector representatives to monitor water levels, develop well‑drilling projects, plan for reduced river flows and promote water‑saving campaigns.

At the federal level, Environment and Climate Change Minister João Paulo Capobianco said the government is preparing for an El Niño with an estimated 80 % chance of being very intense. A permanent situation room coordinated by the Casa Civil involves 13 ministries and agencies, mobilising resources for the armed forces, federal police, IBAMA and ICMBio, and coordinating plans with states and municipalities. The response includes increased fire‑fighting aircraft, a half‑billion‑real allocation to state fire services, and enforcement of the Integrated Fire Management Law, which assigns shared responsibility for fire prevention to federal, state, municipal authorities and landowners.