Itamarati, a municipality in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, has declared a state of emergency in response to the rising floodwaters affecting the region. As of Thursday, January 19, the river in Itamarati reached a critical level of 21.40 meters, only 51 centimeters shy of the highest recorded level of 21.91 meters, which occurred in April 2015. This alarming rise has prompted Itamarati to join Eirunepé and Boca do Acre as the third municipality in Amazonas to declare an emergency in 2026 due to flooding, with water levels notably higher than those recorded during the same period last year.

The flooding problem has been exacerbated by intense rainfall in the higher regions of the river basins, which has led to record water levels. According to André Martinelli, the hydrology manager at the Geological Service of Brazil (SGB), these extreme weather conditions have resulted in significant increases in river levels, leading to the current crisis in these municipalities. Eirunepé and Boca do Acre have also reported alarming levels, with the rivers showing levels of 16.57 meters and 16.39 meters respectively.

The situation remains critical as local authorities, including the Civil Defense of the state, continue to monitor the rising waters and respond to the needs of the affected communities. The repeated increase in flooding levels compared to previous years highlights the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather conditions in the Amazon region, raising concerns for both residents and local officials regarding future mitigation and support efforts.