Meeting guides Maranhão municipalities (Brazil) on the effects of El Niño

Representatives from municipalities in Maranhão (Brazil) and federal public agencies met on August 25, 2026 in São Luís to discuss the possible effects of El Niño in the Northeast of Brazil and preparedness measures for municipal governments. The Fundação Nacional de Saúde (Funasa) presented information on water supply, water quality control, and solutions applicable to rural communities and small municipalities. The meeting was the first in a series scheduled between August 25 and September 3, 2026 across the nine states of the Northeast. According to the El Niño 2026-2027 Panel, 40% of the Northeast territory showed moderate drought in June 2026, compared to 10% in the same month of 2023, with a risk of affecting water security and supply. Measures discussed included updating contingency plans, monitoring official meteorological information, and coordinating across civil defense, health, infrastructure, environment, and social assistance sectors.