Heavy rains in Bolivia cause rivers to flood homes near La Paz By Reuters
LA PAZ, Bolivia (Reuters) – Heavy rain on Saturday night in Bolivia caused the Pasajahuira River to flood, flooding the Bajo Llojeta area on the outskirts of La Paz and leaving many people trapped in their homes waiting for rescue teams.
“People were shouting in despair,” said the municipal president of Bajo Llojeta, Julieta Clavijo, to Reuters.
“A 4-year-old girl is missing and her parents are in despair. People had to leave their houses on the roof because there was no other way out because the mud was already deep,” said Clavijo.
Deputy Minister of Public Security Juan Carlos Calvimontes confirmed that rescue teams are searching for the little girl.
At least 26 people were injured and more than 40 houses were destroyed by the floods, according to local authorities. About 300 soldiers were sent to help evacuate civilians and clean up the area.
President Luis Arce also visited the community and vowed to do “all the necessary work” to restore the site and open an investigation into the causes of the disaster.
“It won’t stay like this,” he said.
“My house is full of water and the mud keeps rising,” said local resident Andrea Quispe. “We need more help, more equipment, this help is not enough. We still have time to save my house but no one is helping me.”
Heavy rain from late-season tropical storms also ravaged Central America, cutting off entire communities in Honduras and devastating Costa Rica’s coffee plantations.
