- Title: BOLIVIA: Rain and snows wreak havoc in Bolivia
- Date: 27th June 2013
- Summary: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (JUNE 27, 2013) (REUTERS) OFFICES OF BOLIVIA'S MINISTRY OF CIVIL DEFENCE / LOGO (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ADMIRAL OF BOLIVIA'S MINISTRY OF CIVIL DEFENCE, REINALDO PINNOLA, SAYING: "In the Bolivian high Andean plateau, the departments of La Paz, Oruro and Potosi are suffering from freezing temperatures and snow." MAP OF BOLIVIA'S MINISTRY OF CIVIL DEFENCE MARKED WITH LOCATIONS WHERE AID IS BEING HANDED OUT (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ADMIRAL OF BOLIVIA'S MINISTRY OF CIVIL DEFENCE, REINALDO PINNOLA, SAYING: "Temperatures have dropped to 10 degrees below zero celsius. During the past few days the snow has caused important problems on the highways, especially in the south at Hito Cajon, where the snow has reached 20 centimetres in height which has made highways impassable." SANTA CRUZ, BOLIVIA (MAY 26, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF POOR FAMILY WHOSE HOUSE IS FLOODED, SHIELDING FROM RAIN WITH PLASTIC COVER NEXT TO ROAD VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING IN FLOODED STREETS CARS DRAGGED BY WATER VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING IN FLOODED STREET FLOODED HOME FAMILY MEMBERS COLLECTING WITH WITH BUCKETS GENERAL OF WOMEN WALKING IN FLOODED STREET
- Embargoed: 12th July 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Bolivia, Plurinational State Of
- Country: Bolivia
- Topics: Disasters,Weather
- Reuters ID: LVA8FJR5J2OEY7UB2MXI32U91CY9
- Story Text: Rain, snow and a cold snap this week in Bolivia continues to challenge authorities as tourist attractions are shut, livestock is threatened and highways are blocked.
In the Bolivian High Andean Plateau, authorities in the Potosi region suspended the access of tourists to the natural reserve Eduardo Abaroa, because highways were blocked after 25 centimetres of snow fell on the region.
"It has been snowing in Potosi since the day before yesterday. Snow falls on this pampa, all the way down to the south. Driving around here is impossible," said an unidentified driver of a stranded car.
Farmers fear they will lose 30 percent of their livestock, including llamas and alpacas, due to the cold weather.
Bolivia's Ministry of Civil Defence continues to analyse the situation in order to determine the number of those affected.
"In the Bolivian high Andean plateau, the departments of La Paz, Oruro and Potosi are suffering from freezing temperatures and snow," said an Admiral of Bolivia's Ministry of Civil Defence, Reinaldo Pinnola.
"Temperatures have dropped to 10 degrees below zero celsius. During the past few days the snow has caused important problems on the highways, especially in the south at Hito Cajon, where the snow has reached 20 centimetres in height which has made highways impassable," Pinnola added.
In the southern parts of the country in departments such as Chiquisasca, Tarija and parts of Santa Cruz, the cold weather has affected at least 12 municipalities where authorities have declared a state of emergency.
This measure will allow the funding of some three million dollars to help families and entire communities, providing drinking water for humans and animals, as well as livestock fodder.
According to local media, some 17,000 families in the region of Chaco have been affected and the weather has also damaged some 86,000 hectares of corn, soya beans, peanuts in the departments of Tarija, Chuquisaca, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None