Bolivian Drought: A Close Watch Needed Now

Bolivia is the most vulnerable country to the climate crisis in South America. The frequency and intensity of drought episodes are increasing in the highlands and plains of the country. In 2023, Bolivia experienced the longest dry period in its history, a consequence of high temperatures, the climate crisis, and the El Niño phenomenon.

The drought has had a devastating impact on people, livestock, and crops. It has led to water shortages, increased food insecurity, and severe economic losses. The effects have been particularly severe in rural areas, where income and jobs depend on agriculture and livestock farming.

The situation is expected to worsen with the return of El Niño in early 2024, which will likely bring more intense weather extremes, a rise in temperatures, and ongoing drought conditions. Given the vulnerability of the country to the climate crisis and the severity of the impacts, the drought in Bolivia should be closely monitored.

The impact on agriculture and food security

Bolivia's agricultural production is dropping, and over half the population faces food insecurity. The water crisis, exacerbated by climate change, has damaged crops and killed livestock. The drought has affected 62,130 acres of croplands and 163,000 heads of livestock.

The drought has been particularly devastating for the country's vital potato crop. In the high-altitude region of Potosí, few other plants can survive, and the potato has been an agricultural lifeline for generations. However, the lack of rain and access to water has meant that farmers are unable to water their crops, and many families do not have daily access to water. The drought, combined with an untimely frost, has resulted in smaller and worm-infested potatoes.

The impact of the drought on agriculture has led to a significant rise in food prices. Families who rely on their crops to feed themselves are now having to spend a significant portion of their income on food. This is especially difficult for those in rural areas, where income and jobs depend on agriculture and livestock.

The government has allocated $17 million to tackle the drought and is implementing over 800 water, sanitation, and irrigation projects. However, with the El Niño phenomenon expected to exacerbate the region's climate changes in early 2024, the situation is likely to worsen.

The effect on water supply and quality

Bolivia is facing a severe water crisis due to a combination of intense winter heat, the El Niño phenomenon, and the climate crisis. The water shortage has had a devastating impact on the country, affecting over half a million families and causing a state of emergency in seven out of Bolivia's nine departments. The drought has also impacted livestock and crops, with more than 28.5 million heads of livestock and over half a million crops affected.

The drought has led to water rationing, with families only receiving water for a few hours each day or even just once a week. This has made it difficult for farmers to water their crops, and the lack of rain has caused soil moisture loss, with most areas within six macroregions facing dry to extremely dry conditions. The Valles, Llanuras-Sabanas, and Chiquitania macroregions are the most affected.

The water crisis has damaged crops and killed livestock, with the government allocating $17 million to tackle the drought and implementing over 800 water, sanitation, and irrigation projects. However, the extended dry period has altered soil properties, making the topsoil more susceptible to drying and compaction, reducing the soil's ability to absorb water and leading to flash floods when rain returns.

The lack of water has also increased the risk of fires, with a recent increase in wildfires reported in Bolivia, further damaging the environment and impacting water sources. The drought has also forced families to wash their clothes in polluted rivers, posing health risks and increasing water-borne diseases.

The impact of the drought on water supply and quality in Bolivia is severe, with families struggling to access clean water for drinking, irrigation, and sanitation. The situation is expected to worsen with the return of El Niño, bringing more intense weather extremes and higher temperatures, exacerbating the ongoing water crisis in the country.

The influence of climate change and El Niño

Bolivia is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In 2023, the country experienced the longest dry period in its history, a consequence of high temperatures and the climate crisis, intensified by the El Niño phenomenon.

El Niño is a climate phenomenon that affects the precipitation variability of the Bolivian Altiplano. It is defined as a periodical variation of the sea surface temperature over the tropical Pacific Ocean, with neutral, warm (El Niño), and cold (La Niña) phases. The positive phase of ENSO is generally associated with warmer and drier conditions, while the negative phase is associated with cooling and wetter conditions.

The 2023 drought in the Amazon basin, which includes Bolivia, was driven primarily by climate change, according to the World Weather Attribution. River levels were at their lowest in 120 years, threatening around 30 million people in several South American countries, including Bolivia. The drought disrupted transportation, isolated communities, and killed wildlife.

The effects of the drought in Bolivia were particularly severe in rural areas, where income and jobs depend on agriculture and livestock farming. Water reservoirs dried up completely, staple food crops were lost, and llamas and alpacas died of thirst. The drought also led to an increase in diseases such as dermatitis, respiratory infections, waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, and mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever.

The frequency and intensity of drought episodes are increasing in the highlands and plains of Bolivia, and the country is expected to see a 22% increase in food insecurity by the 2050s unless the pace of warming decreases. The influence of climate change and El Niño on drought in Bolivia is significant and warrants close monitoring to mitigate its impacts and adapt to future changes.

The economic and social consequences

Agricultural Losses and Food Insecurity: The drought has severely affected agricultural production in Bolivia, with crop losses reported across the country. The lack of rainfall and water access has left farmers unable to water their crops, leading to reduced yields or even total crop failure. This has resulted in food insecurity for a significant portion of the population, particularly in rural areas. Over half of Bolivia's population is currently facing food insecurity, and this situation is expected to worsen as weather extremes become more severe and frequent, decimating vital farming and livestock. The decrease in local agricultural production impacts the market, driving up food prices and affecting food security.

Livestock Losses: In addition to crop losses, the drought has also taken a toll on livestock. The lack of water and pasture has led to the death of animals, further affecting the livelihoods of farmers and the availability of food and resources.

Water Scarcity and Rationing: The water crisis in Bolivia has resulted in water scarcity and rationing measures. Some regions are experiencing reduced water flow, with families having limited access to water, sometimes only receiving water once a week. This has impacted basic hygiene practices and increased the risk of water-borne diseases.

Economic Impact: The drought has had a significant economic impact on Bolivia. The loss of crops and livestock has affected the income of farmers and rural communities, who rely heavily on agriculture and livestock for their livelihood. The decrease in agricultural production and the need to purchase food have put a strain on families' finances. Additionally, the government has had to allocate significant resources to tackle the drought, including investing in water, sanitation, and irrigation projects.

Social and Community Impact: The drought has disrupted the lives and well-being of communities across Bolivia. Families have had to make difficult decisions, such as selling their land or going into debt. The lack of access to clean water and the increase in water-borne diseases have further exacerbated the situation. Communities have also had to cope with the loss of livestock, which are an important source of income and food.

Long-Term Effects: The drought's consequences are expected to have long-term effects on Bolivia. The reduced agricultural production and food insecurity may lead to malnutrition and health issues for vulnerable populations. The economic impact may also have lasting effects, with potential consequences for the country's development and recovery.

The drought in Bolivia has had far-reaching social and economic consequences, affecting livelihoods, food security, and the country's economic stability. The situation underscores the urgent need for climate change adaptation measures and disaster risk management strategies to build resilience and reduce the impact of future extreme weather events.

The response and preparedness of the government

The Bolivian government has been implementing broad measures and investments to tackle the drought emergency, anticipating an even drier 2024 due to the El Niño phenomenon. The government has allocated $17 million to tackle the current drought and is implementing over 800 water, sanitation, and irrigation projects. An emergency program now provides large-volume water tanks (300-1,300 gallons) to many affected municipalities.

The government has also called on the public to use water responsibly for both irrigation and human consumption and urged everyone to take preventive and preparatory measures in anticipation of potential adverse events, emergencies, or disasters resulting from the current conditions.

In addition, the government has chosen not to implement water rationing in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, despite the city's reservoirs being 50% below capacity. Instead, they have encouraged changes in habits such as using less water for laundry and bathing and irrigating public parks with greywater.

However, in Potosí, a city of around 850,000 people, water rationing has been implemented as the 27 reservoirs and lakes that supply the city will run dry in December. Distribution of potable water has been cut in half, and the irrigation of parks and gardens is prohibited.

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