During the month of July 2002 positive sea surface temperature anomalies continued to be observed in the central Pacific Ocean, indicative of the El Niño conditions.

The rainfall has decreased in the eastern coastal belt of the Nordeste and in the northern parts of North region of Brazil. The precipitation over most parts of central Brazil is normally scanty in this season and it continued to be so. However, the temperatures there were higher than normal.

The total number of hotspots (indicative of bush and agricultural fires) observed during the month became twofold compared to the same month last year. The highest number of occurrence was in Mato Grosso state.

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