An unusual natural event has occurred in Brazil, where a river turned a bright emerald green.
A major river in the bustling city of São Paulo suddenly changed its color to a striking shade of green. This color change is believed to be caused by severe drought affecting the city this week.
According to ABC News, environmental authorities in São Paulo have linked the green coloration of the Pinheiros River to an algal bloom triggered by the drought. The extreme conditions have significantly lowered the river’s water levels, making it more prone to such occurrences.
This phenomenon started on Monday, September 9, and continued through Tuesday, September 10. On the same day, the city of São Paulo was also shrouded in a smoky haze.
It is believed that this smoky haze is caused by a combination of hot, dry air, which has made it difficult for pollutants from wildfires in nearby forests to dissipate.
Brazil is currently facing its worst drought in seventy years, with large rivers in the Amazon basin drying up and reaching historic lows.
Uncontrolled wildfires in the Amazon rainforest have also devastated protected areas, spreading smoke to other regions and worsening air quality across the country.
Residents of São Paulo, the most populous city in South America, have complained about the smoke and the foul odor near the river.
“If the weather is hot during the day and the temperature drops, the stench gets worse after 1 AM,” said analyst Flavio Xavier Santana.
For two consecutive days, São Paulo’s air quality ranked as the second-worst in the world, following Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The São Paulo Environmental Agency classified this week’s air quality as “very poor,” advising residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, stay hydrated, and keep windows and doors closed.