Public bodies plan measures to reduce the impacts of the drought in Acre. The capital Rio Branco has not recorded rain for almost 40 days and the prolonged absence of rain is already worrying the Municipal Civil Defense. The agency warns of a worsening of the scenario in the coming weeks, with the intensification of the dry period and the forecast influence of the El Niño phenomenon. According to the agency, the last rain recorded in the capital of Acre occurred on June 16, when 1.8 millimeters of precipitation were recorded. ? Join the g1 AC channel on WhatsApp To g1, the coordinator of Rio Branco's Civil Defense, lieutenant colonel Cláudio Falcão, explained that Rio Acre still has a more comfortable level because the first semester was marked by a higher volume of rain than that recorded in 2025. However, this scenario is already starting to change. Rio Acre reached 2.20 meters this Friday (24), in Rio Branco, a level higher than that recorded on the same date last year Civil Defense of Rio Branco "The river is at a better level than it was last year precisely because we had a lot of rain in the first half of the year. But the absence of rain is already felt. We are approaching 40 days without rainfall recorded and the tendency for the next few days is to get worse, worsening the situation even further", he stated. According to the coordinator, Rio Branco still records one of the highest levels among the main basins monitored in the state. Even so, the drought already causes impacts that go beyond reducing the volume of rivers. READ MORE: With more than a thousand millimeters, accumulated rainfall increased by 18% in the 1st half of the year in Rio Branco Acre had an average of 3 months under extreme heat in 2024, reveals survey; check the list Burnt area in Acre has the 4th largest drop in the country in relation to the historical average "We see the entire drought situation and the water crisis taking place both in urban areas, with supply difficulties, and in rural areas, where navigability is compromised and even water for consumption begins to become more scarce", he added. Even with the drought, the Acre River remains above the level recorded in the same period last year. This Friday (24), the spring reached 2.20 meters in the capital, while on the same date in 2025, the level was 1.58 meters, a difference of 62 centimeters. However, despite still being above last year's mark, the river has been showing a gradual decline. Operation Drought Given the advance of the drought, Civil Defense also reported that Operation Drought has already begun, initially with support from the Rio Branco Water and Sewage Service (Saerb), responsible for the emergency supply of communities affected by the lack of water. According to Falcão, the expectation is that Civil Defense will start operating with its own trucks in the coming days, after aligning actions with the city hall. "It is already underway, but we are not yet doing it with Civil Defense trucks. Supply began on an emergency basis through Saerb. The expectation is that, next week, we will also start working with our own trucks", he explained. In addition to water supply, the coordinator highlighted that planning involves serving the most affected rural communities, where drought also compromises agricultural production and reduces family income. ???? Heat and El Niño worry experts The scenario also worries researchers. The forecast for the formation of the El Niño phenomenon in the coming months increases the possibility of higher temperatures and a more intense drought in Acre. Researcher Foster Brown explains that the combination of heat and reduced rainfall favors forest fires, worsens air quality and increases impacts on the health of the population and ecosystems. "It is never exactly repeated, but it more or less follows what happened in 2023 and 2024. We are entering a phase in which the influence of El Niño tends to grow. As a result, the expectation is that the dry season will be prolonged," he stated. According to Civil Defense, some typical signs of this scenario are already observed, such as the prolonged absence of rain, heat waves, the reduction in the level of rivers and streams and the decrease in the reserve capacity of dams and dams. Preventive measures Given the forecasts, public bodies reinforce planning to minimize the impacts of drought. According to Civil Defense, a technical opinion has already been sent to the mayor's office requesting the declaration of an alert situation. Dry weather and high temperatures prevail in Rio Branco after more than a month without rain Yuri Marcel/g1 The agency also monitors rural communities where the water crisis begins to intensify and prepares a survey of losses in agricultural and livestock production. Furthermore, the Public Ministry of Acre (MP-AC) advised state and municipal bodies to anticipate preventive measures, including monitoring systems and actions aimed at the most vulnerable populations. Furthermore, the recommendation is that the population maintain hydration, avoid exposure to the sun during the hottest times of the day and take extra care of children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases. VIDEOS: g1