# Drought and water scarcity in northern Brazil

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/drought-and-water-scarcity-in-northern-brazil
> Updated: 2026-09-03T00:53:00.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

Severe drought conditions have led to states of emergency in northern Brazil. In Rio Branco, Mayor Alysson Bestene declared a 180-day state of emergency following the drying of the Rio Acre, its tributaries, and local wells. This shortage has impacted human consumption, livestock, and local production, prompting the Municipal Civil Defense to distribute potable water via trucks to affected families.

In the state of Roraima, Governor Soldado Sampaio also established a 180-day state of emergency. The government created the Integrated Cabinet of Operation El Niño 2026-2027 to coordinate responses across 19 agencies. The drought has caused agricultural losses exceeding 30% for crops like corn and soy, while river levels in Boa Vista have fallen more than 70% below historical averages. These conditions have also increased forest fire risks, with heat spot counts surpassing previous monthly records.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-03: Roraima declares state of emergency due to severe drought

Roraima has declared a 180-day state of emergency due to severe drought and El Niño, impacting agriculture, river levels, and increasing forest fire risks.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/roraima-declares-state-of-emergency-due-to-severe-drought

### 2026-08-11: Rio Branco declares 180-day state of emergency due to drought

Rio Branco has declared a 180-day state of emergency due to severe drought, prompting water truck distributions to rural communities as wells and rivers dry up.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-branco-declares-180-day-state-of-emergency-due-to-drought

---
Cite as: Drought and water scarcity in northern Brazil. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/drought-and-water-scarcity-in-northern-brazil