Drought eases in all regions of Brazil

According to the latest update of the Drought Monitor, between May and June, the severity of the drought eased in 14 states: Alagoas, Amazonas, Bahia, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Paraíba, Paraná, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, São Paulo, and Sergipe. Conversely, the drought intensified in June in five other states: Ceará, Maranhão, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, and Tocantins. 

In five other states, the severity of the phenomenon remained stable during this period: Acre, the Federal District, Espírito Santo, Rondônia, and Roraima. Amapá remained drought-free, while in Mato Grosso, the phenomenon ceased to be observed due to above-average rainfall. In Pará, the phenomenon returned in June.

Considering the five geopolitical regions monitored by the Drought Monitor, the North had the mildest drought conditions in June, while the Northeast had the most severe, with 33% of its area experiencing severe drought. Between May and June, the drought eased in all five regions. Considering the extent of the drought-stricken area, the drought-stricken area decreased in the Central-West, North, Southeast, and South regions. In the Northeast, the drought-stricken area increased slightly during this period. In June, Brazil experienced drought across 44% of its territory, representing the smallest area since December 2023, when the entire country began monitoring the Monitor. Last month also saw the mildest drought conditions since December 2023.

Comparing May to June, only one state recorded an increase in the area affected by drought: Maranhão. Conversely, the Monitor identified a decrease in the area affected by drought in 12 other states: Alagoas, Amazonas, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondônia, Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Sergipe, and Tocantins.

In 11 other states, the drought-stricken area remained stable: Acre, Bahia, Ceará, the Federal District, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio de Janeiro, and Roraima. Between May and June, Amapá remained drought-free, Mato Grosso remained drought-free in June, and Pará experienced drought again last month.

Two states registered drought across 100% of their territory in June of this year: the Federal District and Piauí. In the other states where drought occurred, the percentages ranged from 3% to 93%.

Based on the territory of each state monitored, Amazonas leads the total area affected by drought in May, followed by Minas Gerais, Bahia, Maranhão, and Goiás. In total, between May and June, the area affected by drought remained at approximately 3,7 million km², equivalent to 44% of Brazil's territory.