In Bolivia, snow and cold weather have affected more than 26,000 families
Snowfall and cold weather in three departments in western Bolivia have affected 26,202 families. Another 6,211 families have been classified as having suffered severe consequences from the natural disaster. The severe weather affected 274 communities in 75 municipalities across the departments of Potosí, Oruro, and La Paz, according to The Rio Times, citing Bolivia’s Vice Ministry of Civil Defense.
The Potosí Department was the hardest hit, particularly the Uyuni region. A regional state of emergency was declared there. The main consequences of the snowfall and extreme cold included the loss of livestock, pastures buried in snow, and the closure of high-altitude roads.
Separately, in the municipality of Kime in the department of La Paz, the Cuyuma River overflowed its banks on August 18–19 due to heavy rains. The water flooded homes, washed away roadbeds, carried debris into the town, and disrupted public services.
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The municipality of Kime has not yet declared a state of emergency and is preparing technical documents to request government assistance. Local authorities are redirecting the river’s course, clearing away debris, and attempting to restore the riverbed. An excavator became stuck in the river during the flood.
The La Paz departmental administration has also identified La Asunción, Luribay, Palca, and Yanacachi as among the hardest-hit municipalities. In Palca, authorities estimate that it will take about a month to restore the road surface. At the La Cumbre Pass above La Paz, the National Road Agency was clearing snow.
The National Meteorological Service (Senamhi) notes that the rainy season on the Bolivian Altiplano typically lasts from November through March. Snow in August is a common occurrence in the highlands, but this time the amount was unusually heavy. At the same time, the heavy rains that caused flooding in Kime are atypical for this time of year.
