Floods in Bolivia

Bolivia experiences severe floods due to the overflow of major rivers, including the Beni, Mamoré, Acre, and Ichilo rivers, particularly during the rainy season. These rivers, which flow through the Amazon Basin, frequently exceed their banks due to heavy rainfall, impacting lowland regions such as Beni, Pando, and northern La Paz. In early 2024, heavy rainfall caused floods and landslides across eight of the country's nine departments, resulting in at least 52 fatalities and affecting over 22,000 families. The floods damaged more than 1,300 homes and destroyed approximately 900, leaving many in urgent need of shelter and educational support.

Historically, Bolivia has faced substantial economic impacts due to flooding. The 2007-2008 La Niña phenomenon led to damages and losses estimated at $511 million, equivalent to 3.4% of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The agriculture sector was the most affected, with losses amounting to $276.5 million, followed by the transport infrastructure sector, which incurred damages estimated at $108 million. In November 2024, intense rainfall caused the Pasajahuira River to overflow, which flooded the Bajo Llojeta neighborhood near La Paz. This event resulted in at least 26 injuries, damage to over 40 homes, and the deployment of approximately 300 military personnel for evacuation and cleanup operations.

See also

• Rainy season in the Altiplano

References

Bolivia Category:Natural disasters in Bolivia