The rainy season inBoliviaThe disaster, which began in December and will last until March, has so far claimed 40 lives and affected nearly 10,000 families, the government reported on Tuesday, February 27.
“We have 206 houses affected, 456 houses completely destroyed and 40 people have already died,” Deputy Civil Defense Minister Juan Carlos Calvimontes told reporters.
The agency, which is primarily responsible for relief efforts across the country, also noted that “80 of the 340 communities are affected.”Bolivia.
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Which areas in Bolivia are most affected by rainfall?
The rainy season began in December 2023 and will last until March and April 2024. The El Niño phenomenon leads to torrential rains and the resulting overflow of rivers.
Calvimontes said the most affected areas were south of the city of La Paz, the seat of the executive and legislative branches, and the city of Cobija, in the north of the country and on the border with Brazil.
One of the most affected areas is the municipality of Cobija in Bolivia. Photo: APG
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“We have already evacuated more than 450 families to higher areas of the city,” said the mayor of this region, Ana Lucía Reis.
Pictures of flooded neighborhoods in the city, which has a population of around 90,000, circulated on social networks. According to the videos shared by the residents themselves, the water level covers the first level of the houses.
In Tipuani, La Paz, several houses were under water due to the rain. Photo: APG
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The Pando governorate separately said that the level of the tributary had risen to up to 15 meters.
In the town of Guanay, north of La Paz, population 13,700, the rivers that border the populated area have burst their banks, covering everything in their path with mud.
Before December,BoliviaIt has been hit by a drought and a warning for river flooding and extreme rainfall is now in place until March, according to the Meteorological Service.
The rains in Bolivia are expected to last until April 2024. Photo: APG
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Due to the rain in Bolivia, classes are interrupted
Given the serious situation in which Bolivia finds itself due to the rains, the Vice Minister of Regular Education, Eudal Tejerina, announced that the suspension of classes has been ordered in six establishments in the departments of Pando, La Paz and Potosí. Specifically, there are two educational centers in Cobija, three in the Yungas and one in Cocha K.
The measure will affect more than 1,600 students and their teachers. However, this could be expanded. “Departmental and district education directorates are empowered to take the most appropriate measures at the right time, always taking into account the safety of students,” said Vice Minister Tejerina.