AGS NEWS – After torrential rains caused historic flooding in southern Brazil, the country now anticipates severe drought in some areas, Environment Minister Marina Silva announced Wednesday.

Brazil has experienced a series of extreme weather events, including unprecedented flooding in Rio Grande do Sul that claimed 172 lives.

Silva attributed the flooding to a combination of natural phenomena, such as El Nino, and climate change, a pattern also observed in the Pantanal and the Amazon regions.

Speaking at an event with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Silva noted that the northeastern Caatinga biome is already suffering from severe drought, with similar conditions expected in Rio Grande do Sul.

She also warned of increased fire risks following record blazes earlier this year.

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A rapid study by global scientists indicated that climate change, combined with El Nino, doubled the likelihood of the recent flooding in Rio Grande do Sul. El Nino, which disrupts global rainfall patterns, is currently weakening, with La Nina expected to return, potentially causing drought in parts of Latin America.

Silva, an environmental activist, resumed her role as Environment Minister in January 2023 to lead Brazil’s climate change policies.

She shared some positive news regarding the Cerrado region, where deforestation decreased by 12.9% between January and May, though she cautioned that it was too early to determine if this trend would continue.