Wildfires rage in Amazon rainforest, 84% increase from last year
Brasilia, Aug 22: The Amazon rainforest in Brazil is experiencing a record amount of fires this year more than 74,000 outbreaks so far which is an 84 per cent increase from the same period in 2018, according to data from the country''s space agency.
The National Institute for Space Research (IPNE) said it detected more than 74,000 fires between January 1 and August 20 -- the highest number since records began in 2013. According to the agency, it observed more than 9,500 forest fires since last Thursday, mostly in the Amazon region.
In comparison, there were slightly more than 40,000 in the same period of 2018, IPNE said. However, the worst recent year was 2016, with more than 68,000 fires in that period.
The head of Brazil''s space agency was fired in July after President Jair Bolsonaro disputed the official deforestation data from satellites.
Greenpeace said that the wildfires were so intense that smoke loomed over the city of Sao Paulo, more than a thousand miles away.
The satellite images showed Brazil''s most northern state, Roraima, covered in dark smoke, while neighbouring Amazonas state declared an emergency over the fires. The hashtags #PrayforAmazonas and #AmazonRainforest were trending on Twitter on Wednesday.
US space agency NASA said: "Although it is not unusual to see fires in Brazil at this time of year due to high temperatures and low humidity it seems this year the number of fires may be record setting."
NASA satellite images showed that the wildfires in the Brazilian rainforest are creating cross country smoke.
The largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon is a vital carbon store that slows down the pace of global warming. It is also home to about three million species of plants and animals, and one million indigenous people.
Environmental activists blamed President Bolsonaro for the current situation, saying he encouraged loggers and farmers to clear the land. Scientists say the rainforest has suffered losses at an accelerated rate since he took office in January.
Bolsonaro, however, brushed off the latest data. He instead accused environmental groups of setting fires in the Amazon in a bid to deflect growing international criticism of his failure to protect the world''s biggest rainforest.
According to reports, there was a sharp spike in deforestation during July, which was followed by extensive burning in August.
Local newspapers said farmers in some regions were organizing "fire days" to take advantage of weaker enforcement by the authorities.
Since Bolsonaro took power the environment agency issued fewer penalties and Ministers made clear that their sympathies were with loggers rather than the indigenous groups who live in the forest, reports say.
An international outcry prompted Norway and Germany to halt donations to Brazil''s Amazon Fund, which supports many environmental NGOs as well as government agencies. There have also been calls for Europe to block a trade deal with Brazil and other South American nations.
Environmental activists said Bolsonaro's comments were an absurd attempt to deflect attention from the problem of poor oversight and tacit encouragement to illegal forest clearance.
Bolivia is also experiencing unusually large wildfires that have reportedly destroyed 5,180 sq km (2,000 sq miles) of forest.
(This photo was taken during Amazon rainforest fires in 1989)
This photo has been going viral in the social media as Amazon Rainforest fire rages, this image was taken by a photographer for Sipa Press, later acquired by Rex Features and published by The Guardian in 2007 for a report on deforestation in the Amazon.
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Cyclone Fengal: Pondy govt issues heavy rain alert to residents via SMS
Puducherry (PTI): Puducherry experienced heavy rains on Saturday morning prompting the union territory administration to send SMS alerts to around 12 lakh residents cautioning them to remain vigilant as cyclonic storm Fengal is expected to make landfall near here later in the day.
District Collector A Kulothungan told PTI that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure that people remained safe.
"We have evacuated people from low lying areas and shelter homes are ready to accommodate them. Arrangements were also made to supply food packets," he said adding that National Disaster Relief Force from Arakonam has arrived to engage in relief and rehabilitation works.
According to the official, cyclone Fengal was expected to cross the coast in the evening. Control rooms have been opened in the collectorate and also in the line departments.
Toll free numbers 112, 1077 and also WhatsApp number 94889 81070 have been put in place to help people facing crisis to contact for help.
Cyclone Fengal is likely to cross between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram coasts close to Puducherry, official sources said. The government has advised people to stay indoors.
The entire stretch of beach road and also several tourist spots were closed to ensure that there was no movement of the people near the sea shore.
Schools and colleges remained closed today.
