Major tributary of the Amazon at lowest level ever following drought

The Negro river has almost dried up at the port of Manaus in Brazil (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

One of the Amazon’s main tributaries has dropped to its lowest level ever recorded, Brazil’s geological service said on Friday, reflecting a severe drought that has devastated the Amazon rainforest and other parts of the country.

The level of the Negro river at the port of Manaus was at 12.66 metres (41ft) on Friday, as compared with a normal level of about 21 meters (69ft).