Even though the weather phenomenon El Niño takes place in the Pacific, its effects are far reaching. The north of the Amazon is currently experiencing a devastating drought, affecting the lives of fishermen and residents who live along the Rio Negro. There are so many dead fish, claims a visiting photographer, that you can smell the rotting from the airplane.

Read more about the drought, and click here to see photos”, which are quite powerful.

Language quiz:

1. How do you say drought in Portuguese?

2. What is a casa flutuante?

3. How do you say transportation in Portuguese?

4. What’s the word for a person who lives on/along the river?