El Niño: Drought hit 38% of Amazon’s inhabited areas in 2024
More than one-third (38%) of human settlements in the Amazon were highly exposed to the effects of the 2024 El Niño, according to a study released Friday (Sep. 4) by MapBiomas – a network formed by universities, NGOs, and technology companies. Among the 5,673 inhabited areas in the region, 2,172 suffered severely from the phenomenon. El Niño is characterized by the warming of the surface waters…
The 2024 El Niño event severely impacted 38% of human settlements in the Amazon, according to a study released by MapBiomas. Among the 5,673 inhabited areas, 2,172 faced severe consequences. El Niño, caused by warm surface waters of the Tropical Pacific Ocean, disrupts atmospheric circulation, leading to irregular rainfall and drought.
The Amazon experienced a 1.9 million hectare decrease in water surface area and 27% less rainfall from September to November 2024, compared to the historical average from 1985 to 2025. Temperatures rose by 2.6°C during this period. Bruno Ferreira, an Imazon researcher, explained that reduced rainfall and higher temperatures increase atmospheric evaporation, leading to soil moisture loss and water stress in vegetation.
Over 93% of the surveyed locations, totaling 5,273, were within 5 km of areas with decreased water surface area. The study also found that land cover and land use changes, combined with climate factors, contributed to the drought's impact on the Amazon.
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