12 Mar 2018 | 09:23 PM UTC
Bolivia: Flooding threat near rivers through March 16 /update 7
Flooding threat near rivers in the Mamoré and Suches watersheds and in high basin of Beni River through March 16; flooding affects 17,000 families as of March 8
Event
As of Monday, March 12, Bolivian authorities continue to warn of the flooding threat from swollen rivers in several areas of the country. According to the Bolivian Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología (SENAMHI), forecast rainfall in the coming days may cause rivers in the Mamoré (Santa Cruz, Beni, and Cochabamba departments) and Suches (La Paz department) watersheds, as well as in the high basin of the Beni River (La Paz and Beni departments), to breach their banks and flood surrounding areas through Friday, March 16.
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
On March 8, Bolivian Minister of Development Planning Maria Prado reported that at least 17,000 families in 61 municipalities have been affected by heavy rains and consequent flooding, with 337 homes destroyed and 50,000 hectares (123,553 acres) of crops damaged.
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.
