Brazil Battles Unrelenting Heatwave, Fueling Devastating Wildfires

Brazil is currently grappling with a severe heatwave, pushing temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius above average, exacerbating the risk of wildfires raging across the country. This extreme weather event, classified as a "high severity" by weather trackers, is impacting several states, with the Central West region experiencing the most intense heat, reaching 35 to 40 degrees Celsius in cities like Belo Horizonte, Brasília, and Manaus. This blistering heat is expected to persist into next week, with temperatures potentially exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in some areas.

The ongoing heatwave is acting as a catalyst for the devastating wildfires that have engulfed parts of Brazil, particularly the Amazon rainforest, Cerrado savanna, Pantanal wetlands, and the southern state of São Paulo. Reports indicate that these fires are being fueled by the high temperatures, strong winds, and low relative humidity, leading to the worst fire season in decades for both São Paulo and the Amazon.

A Devastating Toll:

• Over the past week, São Paulo state has witnessed 2,700 fires, consuming over 59,000 hectares (146,000 acres) of land.
• Raizen SA, Brazil's largest sugar group, estimates that 1.8 trillion tonnes of its sugarcane have been affected by the fires, representing approximately 2% of its total projected crop for the year.
• Local residents are reporting respiratory issues, including coughs, a burning sensation in the throat, and eye irritation due to the dense smoke.

The Amazon in Crisis:

• Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reveals a concerning trend: between January 1st and August 27th of this year, there have been 53,620 fire spots in the Amazon, marking an 83% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

The Wider Context:

• While Brazil battles extreme heat, parts of Africa are experiencing torrential rainfall, with heavy showers and thunderstorms expected to continue through the week.
• Countries from Sierra Leone and Guinea in the west to Sudan and Eritrea in the east are anticipating up to 100mm of rainfall by Friday, with some areas, particularly in northern Mali, Niger, and northern Nigeria, potentially receiving 150 to 200mm.
• The northern half of Mali, which typically receives less than 200mm of rainfall annually, could witness half a year's worth of rain within this week alone.

Devastating Consequences:

• In the past two weeks, flooding-related incidents across Nigeria have resulted in at least 170 fatalities and nearly 2,000 injuries.
• A dam burst in Sudan has tragically claimed the lives of at least 60 individuals.
• Niger, Chad, and Burkina Faso are also grappling with significant damage caused by widespread flooding.

A Call for Action:

The current situation highlights the urgent need for global action to address climate change and its devastating consequences. The extreme weather events occurring in Brazil and Africa underscore the interconnectedness of our planet and the need for collaborative efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change.