Drought effects will worsen in Bolivia and Peru

Subject

Water shortages have seen states of emergency declared in both Bolivia and Peru.

Significance

The introduction of water rationing in La Paz, Bolivia, underlines that city’s vulnerability to variations in rainfall and in particular to the impact of the El Nino phenomenon. Deficient rainfall has also affected the Altiplano, the Peruvian highlands, and the irrigated river valleys along the Pacific coast on which Peru depends for its agricultural supply.

Impacts

• Lack of water will exacerbate disputes between agricultural communities and mining companies.
• Climate change will increase the unpredictability affecting peasant agriculture in the Andes.
• Government support could be hit by the water shortages, especially in major cities.
• There is little that governments can do except build more reservoirs for water storage.