Brazil relaxes Belo Monte water rule amid El Niño-fueled Amazon drought risk

The Brazilian government has temporarily relaxed an environmental rule for the Belo Monte hydroelectric plant on the Xingu River within the northeastern Amazon, in anticipation of another severe, El-Niño-fueled dry season. The change allows Norte Energia, the operator of Belo Monte, to reduce the water flow from the dam's 119 square-kilometer intermediate reservoir from a minimum of 300 cubic meters per second to 100 m³/s.

The cuts began gradually, and will continue until November 30. The decision comes as regulators aim to balance the preservation of electricity generation with the need to maintain water flows through the Volta Grande do Xingu. This large bend in the Xingu River is crucial for Indigenous and riverine communities, who rely on the river for fishing, transportation, and daily life.

The decision to reduce water flow increases the risk of poorer water quality, potentially affecting both aquatic life and people downstream. While Norte Energia maintains that the measure will ensure the required flow through the Volta Grande remains unchanged, they will continue to monitor water quality and fish movements, and report back to regulatory agencies. According to IBAMA, Brazil's federal environment agency, significant social and environmental impacts are not expected.