Amazonas government establishes permanent committee for actions against climate change

By Thais Matos – From Cenarium

MANAUS (AM) – The Amazonas government signed a decree establishing the permanent Committee for Drought and Climate Events Response as a preventive measure for climate emergencies, including floods, droughts, and wildfires. The announcement was made this Monday, January 27, by Governor Wilson Lima, during a press conference at the Government headquarters in the Compensa neighborhood, West Zone of Manaus.

“The committee consists of secretariats, companies and strategic institutions whose actions directly influence issues such as humanitarian aid, the development of economic activities, and the tackling of environmental problems like wildfires and deforestation, among others. This committee will be permanent and will have the support of a scientific committee from the Government of the State of Amazonas, led by the Amazonas State Research Support Foundation (FAPEAM)”, explained the governor.

The purpose of this committee, according to the governor, is to provide well-founded guidance and suggestions, ensuring more precise and evidence-based decision-making. The goal is to make the decisions increasingly effective, based on scientific community insights.

During the press conference, the governor also presented investments totaling R$ 42 million to mitigate the effects of droughts and other climate events in the State.

“R$ 21 million are already available in the coffers of the State of Amazonas from the Amazon Fund, for the acquisition of vehicles and also for the purchase of personal protective equipment. There is also another fund, previously allocated by the Ministry of Justice, amounting to R$ 21 million, for which all bidding processes have been completed, and we are now in the vehicle contracting phase. In May, we will receive 17 trucks, which will be distributed to 15 municipalities where we will establish permanent brigades”, he clarified.

Lima explained that five more military firefighters will join the brigades, supported by municipalities that signed cooperation agreements with the State government last year. Local governments will also contribute resources and teams, with some professionals already trained by the Fire Department, and others to be trained in the future.

“Furthermore, the German bank KfW is providing R$ 3 million for the construction of two new fire stations to house these brigades: one in Boca do Acre and another in Apuí. The funds are already available, and in two weeks, architectural projects will be presented. Subsequently, the bidding process will begin, with the expectation that the fire stations will be delivered next year”, he concluded.

KfW has also allocated funds for the hiring of 153 firefighters, who will start being hired in June. They will work on combating wildfires in the southern Amazonas region, strengthening prevention and control efforts.

Floods Expected to Stay Within Normal Range

The Secretary of Civil Defense of Amazonas, Colonel Francisco Máximo, presented a report showing the river’s behavior metrics based on historical data.

“Considering the historical series and all its metrics, we observe that the river’s behavior is within a range we consider normal. However, it’s important to note that ‘normal’ does not necessarily mean safe. Normality simply provides a larger margin of safety but does not guarantee the absence of risks”, he pointed out.

In January, the data is real and absolute. Starting in February, projections will be made based on historical series. According to Civil Defense, if these trends hold, the river levels will remain within the normal range. However, these forecasts depend on historical averages and also include an additional variable: weather conditions.

“If these weather conditions change, as some forecasts suggest, we might face two possibilities. The first is the occasional occurrence of floods, with moderate increases in river levels, affecting specific municipalities. The second possibility, as we transition from the rainy season to the dry season, is dealing with a weak to moderate drought affecting certain regions of the State. It’s important to emphasize that these projections are not absolute certainties, but estimates based on past data”, Máximo emphasized.

The Secretary also highlighted that the State is currently under the effects of La Niña, but the phenomenon has not yet caused significant impacts that would lead to higher precipitation levels.

“It’s important to note that La Niña is indeed active, but in a very discreet manner with low intensity, without significant relevance so far. We also observe, based on forecasts for the next quarters, that it will gradually lose strength. In fact, by the end of the year, it is expected that the phenomenon will reach a neutral condition, weakening its influence even further”, he emphasized.

Translated from Portuguese by Gustô Alves