Bolivia declares natural disaster

Many towns have flooded due to overflowing rivers

Almost half of Bolivia has been declared a natural disaster area in a bill passed by the lower house of the Bolivian Congress.

Once the government signs the bill, it will free up funds for at least 60,000 people affected by heavy rains, many of whom left homeless.

Bolivia's Civil Defense agency reported two dead from flooding and that more than 13,500 families have been affected by over two weeks of heavy rain.

More are suspected to be in difficulties in remote regions bordering rivers which have burst their banks.

The floods are worst in the departments of La Paz, Beni, and Oruro.

The department of Cochabamba is included in the emergency declaration, not only because it has been affected by floods, but also because some parts have suffered from a heavy drought.

In Oruro, rivers have overflowed and flooded four towns, destroying dozens of government built housing for former mine workers.

International requests

At least four towns have also flooded due to overflowing rivers in Beni, near Bolivia's Amazon region.

The Civil Defense has already asked international organisations like the Red Cross and World Health Organisation for help.

Many people face difficulties in remote regions

The departments of La Paz, Beni, Oruro and Cochabamba will be open to millions of dollars in federal relief funds.

The Bolivian national weather service estimates that a daily average of some 25 litres (6.7 gallons) of water per 1 square metre (1.2 square yards) have rained down on La Paz, the worst affected area.

Although other parts of Bolivia are being hit by a drought, forecasters say the rains are expected to continue.