Floods in Bolivia

Weeks of heavy rains caused massive flooding throughout Bolivia, particularly in the central and northern lowlands, in February. At press time, the floods had caused the deaths of 59 people and more than 100,000 cattle.

Bolivia’s rainy season lasts from November until April, but the 2013-2014 season has been particularly disastrous. With homes flooded and crops rotting, over 58,000 families have been affected. Rivers filled with sewage and rotting animal carcasses have inundated wells, and mosquito-borne diseases may spread. The larger cities have suffered less damage.