Drought Threatens Water Supply in Northeast and Power Supply in Amazon - 28/09/2026 - Science and Health - Folha de S.Paulo

While floods batter southern Brazil, El Niño, a phenomenon that causes abnormal warming of the Pacific and alters rainfall patterns, is causing drought in the country’s North and Northeast and putting pressure on water and power supplies.

Eight water systems in the Northeast are in critical condition, according to ANA (National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency), which says it is monitoring the situation. In the Amazon, cities not connected to the national electricity transmission grid depend on diesel-fired thermal power plants, with diesel delivered by boat. As river levels fall, transportation becomes more difficult.

Companies VP Flexgen and Powertech have jointly requested more than 100 million reais ($20 million) to bring forward the purchase of more than 17 million liters of fuel, with funding from the CCC (Fuel Consumption Account), a charge paid by consumers across the country.

VP Flexgen says Aneel (National Electricity Agency) "has not commented on the feasibility of the request submitted." The agency and Powertech did not respond.