Flood in Bolivia

Record rainfall in southern Bolivia has caused severe flooding with local authorities declaring a state of emergency.

Seven of the nine departments in the country have been affected, and authorities have reported that 50,000 people have been forced from their homes.

The floods follow days of heavy rain and particularly affect the southern part of the nation along the border with Paraguay and Argentina; which is also experiencing floods.

The rain caused the Tupiza River to overflow, flooding the city which shares the same name and affecting an estimated 1000 people. Reports indicate flood waters reached as high as 7 metres in some places.

Due to the flood conditions, some roads in the affected regions have been inundated, making them impassable for relief efforts.