Rio Acre Recedes 40cm: Flood Threat Lingers in Rio Branco

The Rio Acre has shown signs of receding in Rio Branco, offering a brief respite to residents grappling with persistent floodwaters. According to recent measurements, the river level dropped by 40 centimeters within a 24-hour period.

However, despite this downward trend, the water remains dangerously high. The river is currently sitting at 14.09 meters, which is still above the official transbordamento (flood threshold) of 14 meters. This situation marks the third significant flooding event in the area within less than a year, continuing a cycle of disruption for the local population.

On Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM, the Rio Acre registered 14.09 meters on the local gauge. This represents a notable decrease from the previous day's reading of 14.49 meters at the same time. The fluctuation has been rapid and continuous throughout the day.

Earlier readings on Monday showed the river at 14.44 meters at noon, dropping to 14.37 meters by 3:00 PM, and further receding to 14.31 meters by 6:00 PM. The day concluded with the level at 14.22 meters, with the water continuing to recede into the early morning hours. Recent rainfall data indicates 59.20 millimeters of rain fell in the capital within the last 24 hours, complicating the drainage process.

The established water level thresholds provide critical context for the current emergency:

• Attention Level: 10 meters
• Alert Level: 13.50 meters
• Flood Threshold: 14 meters

The ongoing flood event has impacted a significant portion of the local population. In total, more than 2,000 people and 27 neighborhoods are currently affected by the rising waters. This represents the second flooding event in less than one month and the third within a single year.

Emergency response teams have been active in evacuating residents from high-risk areas. As of the most recent update, ten families have been removed from their homes. Of these, six families are currently housed at the Parque de Exposições Wildy Viana, where 74 emergency shelters have been established. The remaining four families sought refuge with relatives.

Displacement efforts are concentrated in specific urban and rural zones:

• Urban Areas: Seis de Agosto, Cadeia Velha, Ayrton Senna, Base, and Habitasa.
• Rural Communities: Panorama, Belo Jardim, Liberdade, Catuaba, and Vista Alegre.
• Indigenous Families: Seven families were relocated to a shelter at Escola Leôncio de Carvalho.

The current crisis is part of a troubling pattern of high water events in the region. The first transbordamento occurred on March 10, 2025, when the river reached 14.13 meters. During that event, the water level eventually peaked at 15.88 meters, affecting over 30,000 people.

The second event took place on December 27, 2025, less than a month prior to the current situation. The river rose approximately four meters in under 24 hours, reaching a maximum of 15.41 meters and impacting more than 20,000 residents.

The third event began on Friday, January 16, with the river marking 14.01 meters. Historically, when the river reaches this mark, it tends to remain above the threshold for several days. During the previous event in December, the water stayed above the flood line for five days before beginning a steady decline, eventually dropping to 12.91 meters by January 2, which allowed cleanup operations to commence.

The Defesa Civil Municipal (Municipal Civil Defense) is maintaining permanent monitoring of the river's behavior. Officials are urging residents in affected areas to strictly follow safety recommendations and to contact official emergency channels if assistance is needed. The emergency hotline 193 is available for immediate support.

Beyond the immediate floodwaters, secondary hazards are being addressed. The energy utility Energisa is conducting inspections across 12 neighborhoods to assess risks to the electrical grid. These inspections are crucial for identifying potential hazards and implementing preventive power disconnections where necessary to ensure public safety.

The Defesa Civil Municipal continues to prioritize emergency actions in the regions closest to the Rio Acre, focusing on the safety and well-being of the displaced population.

While the 40-centimeter drop in water levels is a positive development, the Rio Acre remains firmly above the critical flood threshold. The situation requires continued vigilance from both authorities and residents as the river stabilizes.

The combination of recent rainfall and the river's historical behavior suggests that water levels may fluctuate before a sustained recession occurs. Residents in the 27 affected neighborhoods must remain prepared for potential changes in the coming days. The focus remains on maintaining the safety of the displaced population and restoring essential services once the waters fully recede.