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Rodrigo Paz declares a state of emergency in Bolivia to combat the effects of the “super El Niño” phenomenon

Raluca Ioana Draghici

1 November 2026, 09:23

International

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Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz announced on Saturday that a nationwide state of emergency had been declared amid the severe effects caused by drought and flooding associated with the “Super El Niño” climate phenomenon.

The measure is intended to allow authorities to respond more quickly in affected regions and manage the impact of extreme weather events on the population and local communities. The presidency did not specify, in the available information, how long the state of emergency would last or the exact extent of the damage.

“Super El Niño” is described as an exceptionally intense climate phenomenon producing effects in several regions of the world this year. In Bolivia, it is manifesting through sharp weather contrasts: periods of drought in some areas and heavy rainfall followed by flooding in others.

The decree announced by Rodrigo Paz is the latest measure taken by Bolivian authorities to respond to the climate situation and coordinate interventions in affected areas. Assessment of the damage and the need for support is expected to continue.

Context: “Super El Niño” was already intensifying, with peak forecasts through the end of the year and risks of drought, flooding, and extreme heat

Before the announcement in Bolivia, the World Meteorological Organization warned that the El Niño phenomenon would intensify in the coming months, potentially reaching its peak in December and persisting until February 2027, amid an almost 100% probability. WMO estimates indicated above-average temperature increases in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, with a forecast for October–December of approximately 3.7 degrees Celsius above average.

At the same time, the World Meteorological Organization and WHO called on health systems to prepare for maximum intensity, as these episodes can amplify the risks of extreme heat, drought, flooding, and wildfires, including through effects on the transmission of certain diseases. In parallel, researchers estimated that the “super” variant could lead to tens or hundreds of thousands of additional heat-related deaths between June 2026 and March 2027, while meteorologically, the Pacific had reached temperatures above 30°C, a sign that an extreme episode was taking shape.