Bolivia declares emergency as El Nino causes drought and flooding

Bolivia has declared a nationwide state of emergency due to the intensifying El Nino weather phenomenon, President Rodrigo Paz announced, according to DW English and Al Jazeera English.

The emergency declaration aims to mobilize resources, deploy additional rescue teams, and enhance coordination among national and regional authorities, the armed forces, and police to respond to severe droughts and floods.

Drought has already impacted 78,000 families across six of Bolivia's nine departments and caused the loss of over 75,000 cattle, as reported by Al Jazeera English.

Authorities have warned of potential floods, flash floods, and landslides during the upcoming rainy season. Bolivia is prone to flooding, with recent deadly floods in the Santa Cruz region in late 2025.

El Nino, a periodic warming of the equatorial Pacific Ocean, disrupts global weather patterns and is expected to peak at the end of 2026. It could be the strongest recorded event and may cause worldwide severe weather impacts through 2027.

Scientists estimate that the current El Nino could lead to approximately 451,000 excess deaths globally, with the poorest countries most affected, according to both sources.

The United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization have urged nations to prepare for the prolonged and severe impacts of this El Nino event.