Argentina declares emergency due to low water levels in Parana River
Low water levels in the Paraná River in Argentina have prompted authorities to declare a 180-day water emergency for seven eastern provinces - obliging government agencies to adopt measures to mitigate the effects of water shortages.
The order affects Buenos Aires, Chaco, Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Formosa, Misiones, and Santa Fe provinces - which together are home to nearly 60% of Argentines.
The lack of water in the river, which has reached its lowest level in 77 years due to drought in southern Brazil, could affect agricultural production, potable water supply, energy generation and shipping operations.
The Paraná is a key commercial waterway for Argentina, carrying 125 million tons of cargo annually and at least 70% of the nation's exports.
Meanwhile, it was stated that Argentina's National Bank and the AFIP federal revenue agency would provide tax and loan assistance to those in need of aid, state news agency Télam reported.
Earlier this month, Cabinet Chief Santiago Cafiero said that the federal government would create a 1 billion-peso ($10 million) fund to assist areas affected by low water levels - to be mostly focused on emergency potable water works.
The Alberto Fernández administration is planning to tender a new concession for the 3,442 km (2,139 mi) Paraná-Paraguay waterway operations. This project would involve increasing the maximum waterway depth to 40 feet (12.2m), from the current 34 feet.
At: https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/argentina-declares-emergency-due-to-low-water-levels-in-parana-river
A man walks on the normally submerged riverbed on the Paraná, north of Rosario, Argentina.
A severe drought in southern Brazil has led to the river's lowest levels since 1944.
The drop in the Paraná's levels also threaten the country's recovering export sector - which in June recorded its best figure in 7 years.
