Heavy flooding hits Brazilian rainforest
- 12 years ago
In the Amazon rainforest of northwestern Brazil, officials have declared a state of emergency - the result of heavy flooding along the Rio Negro River.
Here, lawns have turned to lakes, and residents are resorting to boats to get around.
River dwellers across the Amazon basin have been forced to get creative when it comes to keeping their homes dry.
Many have added wooden planks to their stilt homes, creating an extra floor further from the flood waters.
One resident says she hopes the new levels will be enough.
(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) OWNER OF HOUSE, IVONE, SAYING:
"Every time it rains we find ourselves asking God for it not to rain too much, because every time it rains, the floor gets submerged. We already have one new floor."
Flooding is common in the world's largest tropical rainforest, but this year the waters have been rising at an alarming rate.
Brazil's federal government has announced 5.5 million U.S. dollars of aid to help the worst-hit areas, but the resources are not expected to become available until the end of June.
Travis Brecher, Reuters
Here, lawns have turned to lakes, and residents are resorting to boats to get around.
River dwellers across the Amazon basin have been forced to get creative when it comes to keeping their homes dry.
Many have added wooden planks to their stilt homes, creating an extra floor further from the flood waters.
One resident says she hopes the new levels will be enough.
(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) OWNER OF HOUSE, IVONE, SAYING:
"Every time it rains we find ourselves asking God for it not to rain too much, because every time it rains, the floor gets submerged. We already have one new floor."
Flooding is common in the world's largest tropical rainforest, but this year the waters have been rising at an alarming rate.
Brazil's federal government has announced 5.5 million U.S. dollars of aid to help the worst-hit areas, but the resources are not expected to become available until the end of June.
Travis Brecher, Reuters