In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, where rising rivers collide with intensifying drought, local communities find themselves confronting environmental changes that threaten their very survival. Residents of Iquitos, the Peruvian city located in the Loreto region, face multiple threats ranging from devastating floods to severe drought. Amid these growing challenges, a critical question emerges: can Amazonian communities learn to live sustainably alongside the river?
Rising River Levels and Threats to Local Communities
In April this year, Peru’s National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (SENAMHI) declared a state of emergency in the city of Iquitos after water levels in the Amazon River rose rapidly, flooding streets and large areas of the city, according to FairPlanet.
Reports indicate that river levels increased by 10–15 centimeters per day, posing serious threats to food security and contributing to the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, particularly in the most affected areas, including the floating neighborhood of Belén.
Flood Fears from a Local Perspective
A Peruvian woman from the village of Ocaia, who works in Iquitos, explained that she feels increasingly at risk due to recurring floods, stressing that the government is not providing sufficient support to affected communities.
She said: “We fear the spread of insects and diseases. Homes along the riverbanks are in danger.”
Drought: A Multi-Dimensional Crisis
Despite the floods, Iquitos faces another looming threat: drought. Between August and October 2024, the Amazon River recorded its lowest water levels in a century, halting river transport that connects the city to surrounding regions and severely affecting trade and food security.
Local pilots reported that drought conditions have paralyzed Iquitos, with perishable goods spoiling and river vessels forced out of operation.
In nearby areas such as Leticia, Colombia, the situation has worsened further. The Peruvian Institute of Water Sciences reported an 82% decline in water flow, disrupting the daily lives of Indigenous communities who rely heavily on the river as their primary source of water and food.
Deforestation and Climate Impacts
Human activities such as deforestation and infrastructure development have had a profound impact on this unique ecosystem. Deforestation in Brazil has reduced available water resources, further intensifying drought conditions.
Wildfires that swept through the region last month have exacerbated global warming. Peru’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that deforestation has led to the loss of 17% of the region’s vegetation cover.
According to environmental scientist Santiago Roberto Duque Escobar, these activities slow river flow due to debris accumulation, increasing the region’s vulnerability to both floods and droughts. He added that if no environmental protection measures are taken, the river could retreat from certain areas—such as Leticia—by 2030.
Returning to Traditional Ways of Living
As Amazonian communities face mounting climate challenges, some are seeking adaptation by returning to traditional ways of life.
In Puerto Nariño, a Peruvian town along the river, local communities follow a sustainable lifestyle rooted in harmony with nature. Homes built from wood and thatch coexist without motor vehicles, and residents rely on clean, shared water sources.
The environmental organization Natutama operates in the city, monitoring and protecting local ecosystems, including species such as manatees and river dolphins. According to Diana Luz Orozco, the organization’s founder, the goal is to restore traditional knowledge of natural resource conservation and move away from extractive approaches that threaten the ecosystem.
Sustainability and Innovative Solutions
While technological solutions such as dams and flood barriers may offer temporary relief, some researchers argue that long-term solutions lie in rebuilding the relationship between humans and nature.
Duque Escobar emphasized that the solution is not more infrastructure, but rather respecting the river’s natural cycles and relearning how to live in environmental balance.
The Amazon is one of the world’s largest carbon sinks, storing between 90 and 140 billion tons of carbon dioxide. Its unique ecosystem plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate by absorbing solar energy and recycling water into the atmosphere. As such, any poorly planned intervention could lead to severe environmental consequences.
