Bolivia declares emergency over weeks of flooding

Bolivia's government has declared a national emergency to deal with flooding that has claimed at least 30 lives and forced some 21,000 families from their homes over the past two months.
Civil Defence chief Oscar Cabrera said yesterday that a 10th body had been found from a weekend mudslide in the town of Rurrenabaque triggered by heavy rain.
Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera's approval of the emergency degree frees up at least USD 1 million for victims of flooding that has hit hardest the regions of La Paz, Beni, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba.