12 Mar 2018 | 09:23 PM UTC
Bolivia: Flooding emergency continues as of March 5 /update 6
Flooding emergency continues in Bolivia as of March 5; additional flooding expected in the coming weeks as the rainy season continues
Event
Heavy rain, flooding, and their effects continue to impact Bolivia. As of Monday, March 5, Bolivian Minister of Defense Javier Zavaleta said that the flooding emergency in the country has continued due to recent heavy rainfall. According to government officials on March 5, some 17,500 families have been affected by material damages and other losses from the floods, with around 355 homes destroyed and 1200 others suffering flood-related damages. The flooding has left at least nine people dead in Bolivia as of Monday.
According to the Bolivian Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología (SENAMHI), strong storms producing total rainfall amounts of 2.5 to 9 cm (1 to 3.5 in) are forecast in several departments through the afternoon of Wednesday, March 7 (local time), including in Tarija, Chuquisaca, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Beni, La Paz, and Pando. Consequent flooding, particularly near rivers, is possible in affected areas through Friday, March 9, according to SENAMHI. Transportation disruptions and power outages are also possible from the forecast rain and potential flooding. Additional heavy rainfall and flooding is expected in Bolivia in the coming weeks as the rainy season is anticipated to continue through April.
Context
The Bolivian government declared a state of emergency in early February following flooding and related damages in several Bolivian departments, including La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Beni, Chuquisaca, Potosí, and Tarija.
Flooding is common in Bolivia during the rainy season (October to April) and can result in significant transportation disruptions, structural damage, and loss of life. Tens of thousands of people have been affected by the rains thus far this season in Bolivia, which began in earnest in November 2017.
Advice
Individuals present in Bolivia are advised to monitor local weather reports and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.
