State of emergency called as heavy rain continues to fall

Heavy rains have today caused flooding and road blockages in half of Bolivia, leading the government to declare a state of emergency in the eastern department of Santa Cruz. Officials warned that continuing rains may lead to the flooding of the Grande and Pirai rivers, near the city of Santa Cruz, the most heavily populated city in Bolivia. Officials stated that the rains have resulted in widespread transportation disruptions in the departments of Chuquisaca, Santa Cruz, Beni and Tarija. Two people have already died as a result of the flooding, and officials estimate that 2,500 families have been affected.