BOLIVIA-WEATHER/SNOW Heavy snowfall covers the Bolivian cities of La Paz and El Alto

Record ID: 144195

  • Title: BOLIVIA-WEATHER/SNOW Heavy snowfall covers the Bolivian cities of La Paz and El Alto
  • Date: 12th August 2015
  • Summary: EL ALTO, BOLIVIA (AUGUST 12, 2015) (REUTERS) FOG COVERING CAPITAL CITY OF LA PAZ VARIOUS OF CABLE CAR OPERATING AMIDST HEAVY FOG VARIOUS OF TRAFFIC CONGESTED STREETS VARIOUS OF BOLIVIAN WOMEN WITH CHILDREN IN MIDDLE OF SNOW STORM GENERAL VIEW OF RESIDENTS STEPPING OUT OF BUS IN MIDDLE OF SNOW CHURCH DOME PEOPLE WALKING IN MIDDLE OF STORM VARIOUS OF CARS IN MIDDLE OF SNOW STORM HEAVILY CLOTHED BOLIVIAN WOMAN WALKING AMIDST SNOW LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (AUGUST 12, 2015) (REUTERS) GENERAL OF INSIDE OF OFFICES OF NATIONAL SERVICE OF METEOROLOGY AND HYDROLOGY OF BOLIVIA (SENAMHI) COMPUTER PROJECTION OF WEATHER (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) METEOROLOGIST, RUTH GUZMAN, SAYING: "Moist air from the Amazons has arrived mainly to the highlands and part of the mountain range. We have also had high winds that have generated both solid precipitation in El Alto and liquid precipitation in La Paz." GENERAL VIEW OF MAP SHOWING WEATHER FORECAST (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) METEOROLOGIST, RUTH GUZMAN, SAYING: "In Chile and Argentina what we see is the arrival of cold fronts that generate, in these areas, enough rainfall and sudden drops in temperature. Due to this unchanging phenomenon, we do have an unchanging front in our country that affects the (Bolivian) Chaco region and that generates sudden drops in temperature as well as rainfall." EL ALTO, BOLIVIA (AUGUST 12, 2015) (REUTERS) GENERAL CAR IN MIDDLE OF SNOW STORM VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING IN MIDDLE OF SNOW STORM DOGS PLAYING IN STORM SNOWED ROAD LEADING TO AIRPORT VARIOUS OF INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OF EL ALTO WOMAN WALKING WITH FOOD TROLLEY IN MIDST OF SNOW STORM POLICE WOMAN PATROLLING STREET (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) POLICE OFFICER, GIOVANNA IVETTE MAMANI, SAYING: "They say it's the last cold week. We'll have to see. Nevertheless, we must continue working to prevent the cars from parking. We have to fulfil our duties. We have to wrap up due to the cold." GENERAL VIEW OF CARS IN SNOW BOLIVIAN WOMAN CROSSING STREET
  • Embargoed: 27th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA3VKKFHJVDBJEAAYEYB8JUSLHJ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Heavy snowfall and rain in western Bolivia has forced authorities to suspend travel between provinces in the three Bolivian departments of La Paz, Oruro and Cochabamba, local media reported.
    Residents in the departments of La Paz, El Alto, Oruro and Potosi were shivering under temperatures of below 0 Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit), with a maximum temperature of four-degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit).
    Truckers and other travellers were trapped in the fog as cold temperatures took hold in the area.
    According to local media, at least 15 centimetres (5.9 inches) of snowfall was recorded in various parts of the highlands and in El Alto, at over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level, snow continued to cover streets.
    The cable car service in El Alto continued operating in spite of heavy fog. Snow caused traffic jams in the already chaotic city.
    Many wore heavy clothing to protect themselves from the chilly weather, as they braved the strong winds to move around.
    In Oruro, which was also blanketed by snow, schools were cancelled due to freezing temperatures in the evening.
    Meteorologists at the National Meteorological and Hydrological Service said they expected the freezing conditions to continue until Friday (August 14).
    "Moist air from the Amazons has arrived mainly to the highlands and part of the mountain range. We have also had high winds that have generated both solid precipitation in El Alto and liquid precipitation in La Paz," said meteorologist Ruth Guzman.
    This cold front is the same weather phenomenon that is affecting several countries in the region. Low temperatures and rain have also affected the region of Chaco, in northern Argentina.
    "In Chile and Argentina what we see is the arrival of cold fronts that generate, in these areas, enough rainfall and sudden drops in temperature. Due to this unchanging phenomenon, we do have an unchanging front in our country that affects the (Bolivian) Chaco region and that generates sudden drops in temperature as well as rainfall," Guzman added.
    Flights from the international airport of El Alto were delayed due to the snow and fog but not suspended.
    Police officers were seen patrolling the streets to prevent accidents.
    "They say it's the last cold week. We'll have to see. Nevertheless, we must continue working to prevent the cars from parking. We have to fulfil our duties. We have to wrap up due to the cold," said police officer, Giovanna Ivette Mamani.
    In 2011, the landlocked South American country was also hit by freak snow storms that stranded thousands and killed livestock.
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