LA PAZ, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Downpours and the resulting flooding in Bolivia have left 40 people dead and seven others missing since the annual rainy season began in November, authorities said Monday.
Deputy Minister of Civil Defense, Juan Carlos Calvimontes, warned that the death toll could rise after a landslide in the city of La Paz damaged or destroyed 80 homes early Monday.
Authorities ordered a full evacuation of the stricken area to avoid further loss of lives and urged people to stay out of the restricted area at risk of more landslides.
As of Sunday, 163,193 families were either displaced or left homeless, with most of the damaged homes located in the department of La Paz, according to the latest civil defense report.
Since November, heavy rains have hit 105 municipalities, of which 37 have declared a state of disaster. ■
