January 31, 2023, 1:45 PM
January 31, 2023, 1:45 PM
Two climatic events are currently affecting the entire country: the drought in the Bolivian Chaco and in the altiplano, and the heavy rain in some departments, which, according to the Vice Minister of Defense Civil, Juan Carlos Calvimontes, can cause overflows because “the rivers are with the maximum flow of water.”
In contact with EL DEBER Radio, Calvimontes disclosed data from Senamhi, which declared an orange alert a couple of weeks ago due to possible river overflows. There are several rivers with waters about to overflow: the Chapare River, whose overflow can affect Villa Tunari and Corani; the Rocha river, with possible affectation to Tiquipaya and Sacaba, the Mamoré Puerto river, to the towns of Villarroel, Chimoré, Shinahota, Yapacaní and Loreto; the river Beni, which may affect communities in Beni and La Paz, and the Suches River, to the towns of Riberalta and Cachuela Esperanza.
According to the deputy minister, “there are real probabilities that the floods could affect the crops. For this weekend, heavy rains are announced in Santa Cruz, specifically in Chiquitania, Pailón, Cuatro Cañadas, San Julián and in the valleys of Santa Cruz.
Flooded avenues in the capital of Santa Cruz / Photo: Fuad Landívar
Logistics and resources to attend emergencies
The Joint Adverse Command Reaction Command, made up of the Army, the Bolivian Navy and the Bolivian Air Force, was created to deal with fires, floods, landslides, frosts and hailstorms throughout the country. “We are prepared to assist any emergency in Santa Cruz, Cochabamba tropics, north of La Paz, part of Beni, Pando and the city of La Paz,” said the vice minister.
The government has allocated Bs 40 million forTender emergencies nationwide. It should be noted that, to combat the drought, he disbursed more than Bs 122 million.
