Greenhouse gas emissions hit new record in 2025, warns World Meteorological Organization

Johannesburg Water has cautioned residents against spreading unverified information on social media, particularly WhatsApp, regarding the city's water quality. These warnings emerged following several claims that the water throughout the city is contaminated and unfit for drinking.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Johannesburg Water reported that there are currently no confirmed cases of city-wide water contamination. The agency emphasized that concerns about water quality pertaining to a specific area should not be interpreted as a problem for the entire city.

Johannesburg Water clarified that any water quality advisories issued by the agency apply exclusively to the specific areas mentioned in the relevant notification.

Previously, Johannesburg Water issued a notice to residents of the Bezuidenhout Valley requesting them to refrain from consuming tap water due to contamination concerns. At that time, the agency stated that the water quality in the affected zone had not yet been confirmed and further tests were being conducted.

An agency representative, Nombuso Shabalala, explained that the concern over water quality in the Bezuidenhout Valley arose because a fallen log landed on a sewage pipe being installed by contractors. Subsequent testing revealed that the water was not contaminated.

Johannesburg Water strongly urged citizens to verify all notifications through the agency's official communication channels before dissemination, as this can cause unnecessary anxiety and confusion. The agency also asked residents to report any water issues, especially if the water has an unusual color or odor.

Should such problems arise, teams will be dispatched to the respective area to collect samples for subsequent analysis in an accredited laboratory. Residents are advised to contact the Johannesburg Water call center at 010 061 4470 or send private messages to the official social media pages.

During a safari near the Cayman area in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul state, in the city of Miranda (MS), a yellow anaconda was spotted coiled around a crocodile underwater. This footage was captured by agricultural specialist Adriel Abreu, who was accompanying a group of tourists when he discovered the snake constricting the crocodile in the lake.

The video shows the anaconda wrapping its body around the crocodile in the dark water zone. According to Adriel, the snake had already caught its prey by the time the group arrived. During the observation, the animal also lifted its head above the water to breathe.

Adriel told the publication g1 that observing a snake catching prey during excursions is rare. He explained that the snake can spend hours constricting the animal before beginning to swallow it. 'We rarely find it in this strangulation process. It was in the lake, with slightly dark water, so many details are not visible,' he noted.

According to Adriel, the scene attracted the attention of tourists who were able to observe the snake's behavior up close. He also determined that it was an adult anaconda, judging by the thickness of its body. 'It was impressive because you see it so close, you can see this scene, how it moves, the moments when it lifts its head to breathe. It is truly an incredible scene that we only see on television,' he said. The group was unable to film the moment the snake began swallowing the crocodile.

Yellow Anaconda

Anacondas capture their prey by constriction, wrapping their bodies around the animal and pressing until blood circulation is disrupted. After this, they are capable of swallowing prey larger than their own heads due to jaw mobility. This species of snake is non-venomous and kills victims by suffocation, coiling around the victim and squeezing its body until asphyxia. It can reach lengths from 2.4 to 4.6 meters and weigh an average of 30 kilograms, sometimes reaching 40 kilograms. Females are usually larger than males.

The species inhabits wetlands and swamps primarily, but is also found in forest areas and even caves. Its diet includes birds, eggs, fish, reptiles, and small mammals. In some cases, it is also capable of catching larger animals such as deer, kites, and capybaras.

Several municipalities in Amazonas registered air quality ranging from moderate to very poor on Tuesday morning (27). The data was provided by the Electronic Environmental Surveillance System (Selva), belonging to the State University of Amazonas (UEA). Meanwhile, Manaus maintained moderate air quality across all platform sensors.

This atmospheric condition is directly linked to the forest fires occurring in the state. The Fire Panel recorded a total of 2,330 fire hotspots in Amazonas during the last month.

Itapiranga presented the highest concentration of pollutants, with the Selva sensor indicating 112.5 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³). In Itacoatiara, the index was 107.6 µg/m³, classified as poor. Other locations also showed high levels of particles: Nhamundá registered 80.2 µg/m³, and Urucurituba reached 77.1 µg/m³, with air quality classified as very poor in these two municipalities.

Efforts to Combat Fires

On Monday (26), military personnel from the Military Fire Department of Amazonas (CBMAM) traveled to Parintins to intensify the fight against forest fires. The corporation reported that teams will specifically work in the rural area of the municipality. Furthermore, the firefighters received new equipment and materials to support operations, including a pickup kit designed to facilitate fighting in hard-to-reach areas.

Possible Impact of Pará Burns on Amazonas

The governor of Amazonas, Roberto Cidade, warned on Monday (26) that the burns happening in southern Pará could carry smoke to Amazonas in the coming days. He mentioned that the fire hotspots are mainly concentrated in the Itaituba region, located near the border between the two states.

During a press conference, Cidade stated that the government of Amazonas plans to contact the government of Pará to discuss strategies for containing the fires. Although he emphasized that the arrival of smoke would not be immediate, it could affect Amazonas in two or three days. The governor stated: 'A large part of where the burning is happening is in southern Pará, it is there in Itaituba, on the border with our state, there in Lower Amazonas. We are already working so that we can do our part here in our state, but I will also ask with our team to contact the government of Pará.'