Brazil Faces Alarming Water Surface Loss and Severe Water Reservoir Crisis in São Paulo
Brazil loses 400,000 hectares of water surface amid worsening drought, with São Paulo's reservoirs critically low and facing severe shortages by March 2026.
- • Brazil lost 400,000 hectares of water surface over the last year, doubling the size of São Paulo city.
- • São Paulo's metropolitan reservoirs are at 26.42% capacity, with Cantareira projected to drop to 18% by March 2026.
- • The transition from El Niño to La Niña and global warming have worsened drought conditions and irregular rainfall.
- • Economic impact of droughts in Brazil has exceeded R$700 billion over the past decade.
Key details
Brazil has lost a staggering 400,000 hectares of water surface in the past year, more than twice the area of São Paulo city, according to the latest MapBiomas Água report. This contributes to a cumulative loss exceeding 2 million hectares since 1985, highlighting a critical environmental crisis.
The metropolitan region of São Paulo is severely affected, with the Sistema Integrado Metropolitano (SIM) reporting water reservoirs at a mere 26.42% capacity. Key reservoirs such as Cantareira and Alto Tietê are nearing dangerously low levels. The Cantareira reservoir, which stood at nearly 60% capacity in early 2025, is projected by Cemaden to fall to just 18% by March 2026 if below-average rainfall continues. This projection is linked to the ongoing La Niña climate pattern, which has worsened water availability following a severe El Niño the previous year.
Global warming intensifies this crisis, with the Copernicus observatory confirming the world exceeded a 1.5°C temperature rise in 2024. This has triggered widespread droughts and severe health impacts, including a 27% increase in sunstroke cases in São Paulo this year. The drought has spread nationwide, with Rio de Janeiro entirely under drought conditions and devastating reports of livestock deaths in Pernambuco. Economic damages from drought-related disasters in Brazil have surpassed R$700 billion in the last decade.
Experts from NOAA and CPTEC/INPE emphasize that unpredictable rainfall and climate volatility are hindering the recovery of São Paulo’s water systems. André Ferretti, a forest engineer, stresses the urgency of adapting to this new climate reality by adopting land preservation strategies and encouraging private sector involvement to secure water supplies. He also noted the COP30 conference in Belém has heightened environmental awareness and commitment in Brazil towards tackling these challenges.
Currently, São Paulo authorities have implemented water pressure reductions during nighttime hours to mitigate shortages. The situation calls for collaborative management and immediate action to address the escalating water crisis driven by climate change and extreme weather patterns.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
