Bolivia's weather service issued an orange alert due to strong winds

Published at: 18/07/2024 11:28 AM

The National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (SENAMHI) issued an orange alert in five departments of Bolivia because the highland country is facing a severe winter due to a combination of drought, frost and moderate to strong winds.

The alert will be effective from July 18 to 27 in Tarija, Chuquisaca, Potosí, Oruro and La Paz due to the winds, according to a note from Xinhua.

In this regard, SENAMHI reported a low of 9.8 degrees below zero in El Alto last Tuesday, while in Uyuni, in the department of Potosí, the temperature dropped to 21.2 degrees below zero on July 5.

For his part, the Deputy Minister of Civil Defense, Juan Carlos Calvimontes, warned of the devastating effects of these extreme weather phenomena on national agriculture. Sudden changes in temperature affect agricultural production in municipalities and the normal development of citizen activities.

To date, more than 32,000 families have been affected by drought and frost. Since the beginning of winter in April, drought has affected numerous municipalities in the nine departments of Bolivia, with 15 municipalities in disaster situations and three in emergency.

Mazo News Team