La Paz, Bolivia – Bolivia is grappling with severe flooding and its aftermath, as heavy rains continue to wreak havoc across the country. The National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (Senamhi) has issued an Orange Priority Alert, warning of potential river overflows until March 14, particularly in the Amazonian basins.
Rising River Levels and Flood Warnings
Senamhi has raised concerns about the rising water levels in the Acre, Madre de Dios, Tahuamanu, and Abuná rivers. Ríchard Benítez, head of Senamhi in the Pando region, cautioned that continuous rainfall is expected, urging residents along riverbanks to remain vigilant. The agency is coordinating with Bolivia's National Naval Hydrography Service and counterparts in Peru and Brazil to monitor the situation.
Ernesto Roca, head of the Risk Management Unit of the Pando Governorate, highlighted the critical situation of the Purus River in Brazil, which is retaining water and potentially exacerbating the flooding in Bolivia.
Devastating Impact and Casualties
The relentless rains since November have resulted in a devastating toll:
39 deaths
7 people missing
161,125 families affected
97 municipalities impacted
34 jurisdictions declared in municipal disaster
7 jurisdictions declared in emergency
1,056 homes damaged
379 homes completely destroyed
Juan Carlos Calvimontes, Deputy Minister of Civil Defense, provided these alarming figures, emphasizing the widespread damage across eight of Bolivia's nine departments. The search continues for the missing individuals, with cases reported in La Paz, Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, and Santa Cruz.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Concerns
The Bolivian Armed Forces, through the Joint Command for Response to Adverse Events (Ccrea), has deployed over 3,000 troops to assist with emergency efforts. Senamhi remains on high alert, monitoring river levels and potential overflows across the country.
The situation is further complicated by the impact on agriculture, with numerous municipalities reporting significant crop damage. The destruction of homes and infrastructure has also left many communities in dire need of assistance.
Bolivia's government and aid organizations are working to provide relief to the affected populations, but the ongoing rains and rising river levels pose a continued threat.
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