Bolivia declares state of emergency over El Nino weather pattern
Bolivia has declared a nationwide state of emergency to address the severe impacts of the El Nino weather phenomenon, which has already affected 78,000 families and caused the loss of more than 75,000 cattle.
The decree was signed on Saturday and calls for further deployments of rescue teams in areas hardest hit by the extreme weather. Drought has affected 78,000 families across six of Bolivia's nine departments, while the country also faces flooding risks, as evidenced by December 2025 floods in Santa Cruz that killed dozens.
Regional Impact
Neighboring countries are also experiencing severe weather events. Chile's capital, Santiago, recorded the rainiest October ever, while wildfires in Peru killed at least 12 people last month.
El Nino will have 'very severe impacts in terms of drought and floods', Paz said, adding that Bolivia needs 'the cooperation of all institutions'.
Global Climate Pattern
El Nino is a global climate phenomenon occurring every two to seven years, involving warming in the Pacific Ocean that brings worldwide changes in weather patterns. This cycle could be the strongest in recorded history, with scientists predicting it may cause more than 450,000 deaths globally, particularly affecting the poorest nations.
The World Meteorological Organization reported a nearly 100 percent likelihood that El Nino will continue through February 2027, though its impacts could extend well into 2027. Bolivia's state of emergency aims to prepare for these ongoing challenges.
Related
