A major river in the Brazilian metropolis of Sao Paulo is suddenly emerald green and clear skies this week turned from blue to grey. In the late afternoon, the sun's rays filtering through the smoky haze exhibit the color of deep orange.
This isn't a fantasy world: Environmental threats in recent days have transformed the colors of the city's landscape.
The state's environmental authority attributes the Pinheiros River's new green hue to an algae bloom, the result of severe drought that has significantly lowered water levels. The phenomenon was visible starting Monday and continued Tuesday. Those same days, the city suffered smoke-filled air, which the agency attributed to a hot, dry mass complicating the dispersal of pollutants originating in forested areas with ongoing wildfires.
Brazil is enduring its worst drought since nationwide measurements began over seven decades ago, with 59% of the country under stress - an area roughly half the size of the U.S. Major Amazon basin rivers are registering historic lows. Uncontrolled, manmade wildfires - in the Amazon rainforest and other biomes across the country - have ravaged protected areas and spread smoke over a vast expanse, worsening air quality nationwide.
Residents of South America's most populous city are complaining about both the smoke throughout the city and a putrid smell near the river.
