Floods in Santa Cruz, Bolivia’s Economic Capital
Heavy rains caused the river Piraí to overflow, leading to flooding in El Torno and Colpa Bélgica communities near Santa Cruz, the economic capital of Bolivia. At least 20 people have died and dozens are missing since the weekend due to this disaster.
Initial Reports and Casualties
On Saturday, an initial report mentioned three fatalities in El Torno, the most affected municipality. However, according to Alfredo Troche, Bolivia’s Deputy Minister of Civil Defense, the death toll has risen to 20, with many more people still missing.
“Unfortunately, the official figures give us a death toll of 20 people. We also have dozens of missing persons,” Troche said in an interview with Radio Panamericana.
Impact on Families and Rescue Efforts
More than 2,000 families have been displaced due to the flooding. Some people were left stranded on rooftops and tree tops in search of shelter. Elia Castro, a teacher from El Torno, shared her experience: “My son ended up sleeping on the roof” as he was detained in a juvenile detention center.
Rescue teams are intensifying their search for missing individuals amid forecasts of further rainfall. On Sunday, 281 people were evacuated, according to Civil Defense.
Government Response and Alerts
President Rodrigo Paz established a “crisis cabinet” over the weekend, comprising ministries and top law enforcement and military officials. He warned that heavy rains would persist, placing Bolivia in a “very complex” situation.
“In these initial days of the rainy season, we have broken all records from the past 100 years,” Paz said, having taken office on November 8.
The Bolivian National Meteorological and Hydrological Service (Senamhi) maintains a red alert in the region due to “sudden rises with high probability of overflows” in the Piraí river. They also warned of possible overflows in the Maniquí River, located in the Amazonian Beni region, north of Bolivia.
The Santa Cruz departmental government has declared a “departmental disaster” situation due to the flooding.
“We need to move away from rivers because a significant rise is coming, and intense rains will put our lives at risk,” José Antonio Rivero, director of the Santa Cruz river guidance service, told the press.
Seasonal Context
The rainy season in Bolivia typically starts in November and lasts until April of the following year. The previous rainy season (November 2024 – April 2025) resulted in 51 deaths, according to official data.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Rodrigo Paz? Rodrigo Paz is the President of Bolivia, who recently took office on November 8.
- What is the current situation in Santa Cruz, Bolivia? Heavy rains have caused the river Piraí to overflow, leading to flooding in El Torno and Colpa Bélgica communities. At least 20 people have died, and dozens are missing.
- What actions has the Bolivian government taken? President Paz established a “crisis cabinet” to address the situation, and the National Meteorological and Hydrological Service (Senamhi) has issued red alerts for potential river overflows.
- What is the typical duration of the rainy season in Bolivia? The rainy season usually lasts from November to April of the following year.
