Bolivia declares state of emergency as El Nino drought hits 78,000 families
President Rodrigo Paz warns of more severe droughts and flooding as the El Nino weather pattern strengthens.
Key facts
Story- Bolivia has declared a state of emergency over the El Nino weather pattern.
- At least 78,000 families have been affected by drought, and over 75,000 cattle have been lost.
- El Nino is expected to peak in late 2026, and President Rodrigo Paz has warned of severe drought and flooding.
Bolivia has declared a state of emergency as the El Nino weather pattern intensifies, the government said on Saturday. President Rodrigo Paz warned that the country faces severe droughts and flooding.
At least 78,000 families have already been hit by drought. The drought has also led to the loss of more than 75,000 cattle.
Paz said El Nino is strengthening and is expected to peak in late 2026. The weather pattern can bring dry spells to some parts of South America and heavy rain to others. The government has warned that both drought and flooding could follow in the coming months.
El Nino is a natural warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean. It happens every few years and changes rainfall and temperatures across the world. Bolivia's farmers and herders depend heavily on regular rain, so the losses have hit rural households hard.
How the emergency will be funded or what specific measures the government will take has not been said. It is also not yet clear how many families will need aid, or how far the losses will spread beyond the families and cattle already counted.
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