Bolivia declares national emergency over El Nino drought and flood risks

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has declared a nationwide state of emergency in response to the effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon, according to DW, Al Jazeera and CGTN. The decree provides for the deployment of additional rescue teams. It is intended to mobilize resources for the disaster response.

According to Al Jazeera, Paz signed the decree on Saturday. CGTN reports that he declared the state of emergency on Saturday. CGTN, crediting AFP, reports that he announced it in an address to the nation. According to DW, the decree calls for coordination between national and regional authorities, the armed forces and the police.

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include the decree's text, number or duration. They do not state how much funding it mobilizes.

Drought and flood risks

A Bolivian government report says drought has affected 78,000 families, according to DW and Al Jazeera. DW puts the figure at at least 78,000. The same report says drought has caused the loss of more than 75,000 cattle. Al Jazeera says the report was issued this week. The reports do not name the report.

According to DW, Bolivian authorities have warned of potential floods, flash floods and landslides as the rainy season begins. Al Jazeera reports that floods in Bolivia's Santa Cruz region killed dozens of people in December 2025. The reports do not describe any deaths or injuries in Bolivia from the current drought or flooding.

The wider El Nino outlook

Researchers have projected that the current El Nino could cause roughly 450,000 deaths worldwide. DW puts the estimate at around 451,000 excess deaths between June 2026 and February 2027. Al Jazeera says more than 450,000. This is a projection, not a count. The reports do not identify the researchers or their methods. According to Al Jazeera, the poorest countries are expected to be worst affected.

The current El Nino is expected to peak around the end of 2026. DW says the peak is expected in December. Its effects could last beyond that. According to Al Jazeera, the World Meteorological Organization reported in early September a nearly 100 percent likelihood that El Nino will continue through February 2027. DW reports it is on course to become exceptionally strong. Al Jazeera reports it could be the strongest in recorded history.

What is disputed

• DW reports that drought affects seven of Bolivia's nine departments. Al Jazeera reports six.
• DW describes floods as a potential risk. Al Jazeera and CGTN report that rescue teams will go to areas hard hit by flooding and drought, implying flooding has already occurred.

What each side says

• President Rodrigo Paz: "This will be a phenomenon that will have very severe impacts in terms of drought and floods, and we need the cooperation of all institutions," he said, according to DW. CGTN, crediting AFP, reports he said Bolivia is grappling with flooding and drought caused by El Nino.
• United Nations: According to DW, the UN says the current El Nino is "heading off the charts", that its impact could last years, and it is urging Pacific nations to prepare for the worst.

The reports do not include reactions from regional authorities, opposition figures or affected communities.

Analysis

The declaration places Bolivia among the countries preparing for what forecasters describe as a potentially very strong El Nino. Much depends on details the reports do not include: the decree's duration, its funding and how national and regional bodies will share tasks. If the rainy season brings the floods authorities have warned about, rescue capacity could be tested while drought losses continue. If rains are moderate, the focus may stay on farming and livestock. The global death estimate is a projection, and links between El Nino and specific events are associations, not established causes.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.