Bolivia’s Rainy Season Claims 58 Lives and Displaces Thousands

Bolivia’s rainy season has resulted in 58 deaths, 10 missing, and over 860,000 families homeless since last November. Five departments declared disasters. The national emergency was declared by President Luis Arce in March to facilitate international aid. The rainy season continues until May 15.

Bolivia is currently grappling with a catastrophic rainy season that has tragically claimed 58 lives, with an additional ten individuals still unaccounted for. Since November, a staggering number of over 860,000 families have been rendered homeless. This grim update was reported by Deputy Minister of Civil Defense, Juan Carlos Calvimontes, during a press conference held on Wednesday.

Calvimontes noted the rainfall amounts this season have surpassed those recorded in the previous year—a concerning statistic amidst ongoing challenges. In response to the severe impact of the weather, five of Bolivia’s nine departments have officially declared states of disaster, while three have moved to declare a state of emergency.

In March, President Luis Arce’s administration took a significant step by declaring a national emergency, a move geared towards facilitating the influx of international assistance to address the crisis. The vigorous rainy season, which is expected to persist until May 15, has compounded the struggle for the affected populations.

Experts are indicating that this is not an ordinary weather pattern. “We are experiencing a completely anomalous phenomenon,” remarked Lucia Walper, who heads rain forecasting at the National Meteorological and Hydrological Service. This intense weather situation has raised alarms, as communities, already vulnerable, find themselves increasingly at risk due to the unprecedented rainfall.

In summary, Bolivia’s current rainy season is unprecedentedly severe, resulting in 58 fatalities and displacing over 860,000 families. The government has declared emergencies in several departments to manage the crisis, and international aid is being sought to assist those affected. With the rainy season projected to last until mid-May, conditions may become even more precarious if the trend continues.

Original Source: en.apa.az