Amazon flow slows

The Amazon, the world's biggest river, is at its lowest level in more than 40 years near its source in northeastern Peru, causing havoc in a region where it is used as the only form of travel.

Officials in Loreto province say the Amazon in the northeast city of Iquitos fell to 105.97m above sea level, 50cm lower than it was in 2005, so far the lowest reference point in four decades.

Low levels have brought economic havoc in areas of Peru that depend on the Amazon for shipping by denying boats a navigable river as well as usable ports and harbours.