Despite the rainy season in Mato Grosso, river levels in the Paraguay basin are below expectations for the month of February, according to the latest hydrological monitoring bulletin from the Geological Survey of Brazil (SGB). The data reveals a significant discrepancy between the 350 millimeters of rain recorded between October 2023 and January 2024, compared to the 570 millimeters expected for this period.
In some crucial areas of the main channel of the Rio Paraguai, February of this year is among the worst on record, with levels below the historical average. This is reflected in the river’s tributaries, such as the Upper Paraguay and Cuiabá, where levels are also lower than expected for this time of year, according to the bulletin.
In Barra do Bugres, located 169 km from Cuiabá, the river level reached a worrying 95 centimeters, a significant drop compared to the historical average for this date, which is 3.69 meters. Meanwhile, in Cuiabá, the river dropped 28 centimeters in recent days, recording 1.58 meters, compared to the historical average of 3.94 meters.
This situation raises concerns among experts, as it directly impacts water availability for various economic activities and the preservation of the local ecosystem. Continuous hydrological monitoring and appropriate management measures are becoming essential to deal with the challenges imposed by these low water levels in the Paraguay basin during the rainy season.
