In north-eastern Peru, the Amazon River has dropped to levels unseen in 40 years, causing massive economic disruption for a region that relies on the river to transport goods and people to the rest of the country.

For many towns and villages in the rural rainforest region, such as Iquitos, the river is the only connection to the rest of the country as there are no airports or road links.

Six large boats have already been stranded in the port city due to their draft being more than the decreased water levels can accommodate.

The Peru meteorological office has blamed the low water levels on a prolonged dry-spell, which has put farming activity in the region under pressure.

The water levels in the river are expected to drop further before next month’s anticipated rainy season.

Smaller boats have now been chartered by merchants to continue their operations, but the low water levels have changed navigation channels and the journey is now much longer and more costly.

Iquitos is the largest city in the Peruvian Amazon and is 3000 kilometers inland from the mouth of the massive river, which is one of the largest and most significant in the world.