Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has declared a nationwide state of emergency to free up resources and strengthen disaster response as the country braces for severe drought and flooding linked to El Niño.
“This will be a phenomenon that will have very severe impacts in terms of drought and floods, and we need the cooperation of all institutions,” Paz said after signing the decree on Saturday.
Drought is already affecting 78,000 families in six of Bolivia’s nine departments and has killed more than 75,000 cattle, according to a government report cited by Al Jazeera. The decree allows more rescue teams to be deployed and calls for coordination between national and regional authorities, the armed forces and police.
Authorities have also warned of floods, flash floods and landslides as the rainy season begins. Floods in the Santa Cruz region killed dozens of people in December 2025.
The current El Niño developed in June and is on course to become exceptionally strong. It is expected to peak around December, and the World Meteorological Organization has said it is almost certain to continue through February 2027.
Sources: DW, Al Jazeera
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