Snow Has Hit 26,000 Bolivian Families, and a River Took Out a Yungas Town
Snowfall and cold have affected 26,202 families across Potosi, Oruro and La Paz, while a river burst its banks at Quime in the La Paz yungas. The post Snow Has Hit 26,000 Bolivian Families, and a River Took Out a Yungas Town appeared first on The Rio Times .
Two weather events are impacting western Bolivia simultaneously, with the smaller one causing more visible damage. Snow and cold have affected 26,202 families across Potosí, Oruro, and La Paz, while a river flooded the town of Quime on August 18-19. The national weather service, Senamhi, dates the altiplano rainy season from November to March, making August flooding unusual.
Quime, in Inquisivi province, saw intense rainfall push the Kuyuma river over its banks, flooding homes, eroding street platforms, and cutting services. The municipal government has not declared an emergency but is preparing to request state assistance. The snowfall and cold have primarily impacted livestock and roads, while the flooding in Quime has damaged homes, street platforms, and services.
The La Paz governor's office lists Quime alongside several other municipalities as the worst-affected. Rural road damage is critical, as disrupted roads affect coffee, citrus, and coca production and transportation between La Paz and the lowlands. Bolivia is experiencing an unusually good year on paper, with mining exports reaching US$4.45 billion in the first half, up 91% from the previous year.
However, rural road damage can still have significant economic consequences, and the national government may need to step in to provide assistance.
Written by urgent.news from The Rio Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
