The 2023–2024 South American drought refers to an ongoing drought across several states of Brazil in addition to Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia, which has led to several significant impacts including record low water levels, significant water shortages, sweeping crop failures, and widespread wildfires. The drought has primarily impacted the Amazon rainforest and basin, while also impacting the Pantanal wetlands causing record levels of wildfires in the latter.
Why this event still matters
Historical incidents shape the rules that protect people today — building codes, evacuation policy, warning systems and inspection regimes almost always trace back to a specific disaster. Studying 2023–2024 South American drought alongside current events is how preparedness improves.
See what is happening right now on the live world incident map, browse every droughts we track on the Drought tracker, or follow live incidents in Bolivia.