Western Bolivia hit by severe landslides after heavy rainfall, with red and orange alerts across La Paz and 279 municipalities. Cobija declares emergency as Acre River floods, displacing 570 families. El Niño-driven season claims 40 lives, affects 15,000 families.

Heavy rainfall in western Bolivia has resulted in devastating landslides, causing casualties and widespread damage. On 19 February, the National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology (SENAMHI) issued a red alert for three municipalities in La Paz and an orange alert for 279 municipalities across nine departments due to persistent rain and the risk of flooding. (OCHA, 23 Feb 2024)

On 28 February, the municipality of Cobija, in northwestern Bolivia, declared a state of emergency due to intense rainfall, causing the overflowing of the Acre River. The flooding left 14 communes underwater, forcing 570 families to seek refuge in six shelters. The ongoing rainy season, exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, has claimed 40 lives and affected over 15,000 families, nationwide. The National Meteorological Service has issued an orange weather alert for rains and thunderstorms in La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Beni and Pando. (OCHA, 01 Mar 2024)

On 4 March 2024, the Bolivia Ministry of Defense published updated information on the severe rains affecting the country. Nine departments are under an orange alert, and the department of Pando has declared a departmental disaster. A red alert is in effect for three municipalities in the department of Pando and 21 municipalities in the department of La Paz. A municipal disaster has been declared for 18 municipalities and a municipal emergency has been declared in ten municipalities in the country. In total, 26,729 families have been affected, 43 deaths were reported, 483 homes were affected, and 842 homes destroyed, the majority of which were in the department of La Paz. In addition, 5,542 people were evacuated, the majority of which were in Pando. (PAHO, 04 Mar 2024)

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