Drought hits half of Brazil's territory in July

According to the Drought Monitor, maintained by the National Water and Sanitation Agency (ANA), the area affected by the phenomenon has increased in all regions of Brazil, reaching 50% of the country. The Northeast experienced the most severe situation, recording the worst conditions since March 2019.

In July, drought was recorded in five regions of Brazil, affecting 4,2 million km². The Drought Monitor survey shows that the phenomenon exhibited distinct behaviors: there was a easing in the North, stability in the Central-West, and intensification in the Northeast, Southeast, and South.

Compared to June, the severity of the drought decreased in two states—Amazonas and Sergipe—but worsened in 14: Alagoas, Acre, Bahia, Ceará, Espírito Santo, Maranhão, Minas Gerais, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Santa Catarina, and São Paulo. In eight other states, the drought remained stable: the Federal District, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondônia, and Tocantins. Meanwhile, Amapá and Mato Grosso remained without records, and in Roraima, the drought was no longer observed due to above-average rainfall.

The Northeast experienced the most critical situation: 9% of the region experienced extreme drought, the worst situation since March 2019. Furthermore, four states recorded 100% of the drought: Acre, the Federal District, Piauí, and Santa Catarina. In the remaining states where drought occurred, the percentages ranged from 4% to 97%.

In terms of territorial extension, Amazonas leads as the state with the largest drought area, followed by Minas Gerais, Bahia, Maranhão and Goiás.

From June to July, the affected area increased in 11 states, including Amazonas, Ceará, Minas Gerais, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul. Only Alagoas and Sergipe saw a reduction.