Bolivia most dangerous natural hazards

 Bolivia

In Bolivia the most dangerous natural hazards are landslides, blocked roads, and flooding which are common. Landslides are dangerous because debris flows are fast moving that are dangerous to life and property because they move quickly destroy objects in there paths and often strike without warning. Flooding happens because of deforestation which increases the intensity of floods due to the removal of the natural protection of the soil. Over 5,500 families have been affected by flooding across La Paz, Beni and Santa Cruz departments in Bolivia. Two fatalities were reported and dozens of homes and wide areas of crops have been destroyed. The most affected areas are Trinidad, capital of the department of Beni with 20,000 affected families and the department of Sant Cruz. I would start by targeting Santa Cruz and the department of Beni for mitigation factors these locations are high risk and alert for flooding and landslides. Prolonged heavy rains have caused a hilltop to collapse in a poor neighborhood of the Bolivian capital, cracking roads, destroying at least 400 homes and burying people’s  belongings under debris and mud. This happened in the district of Callapa. A government spokesman called the landslide the worst La Paz has ever seen in La Paz in 2011 and the earth was still moving downhill. 5000 people were affected by the landslide in La Paz in 2011. Slides are common in La Paz perched at about 11,900 feet above sea level above sea level and covered by hills with poor communities. Another collapse in 2011 destroyed 20 homes. Heavy rains were responsible for 44 deaths in 2011. Severe

flooding and landslides can disrupt transport services and close airports. Flooding waters can spread infectious diseases contains, chemical hazards and cause injuries Deaths can be caused by someone driving there vehicle into flood waters.There are various ways to prevent landslides these include modifying slope geometry, using chemical agents to reinforce slope material, installing structures such as plies and retaining walls, grouting rock joints and fissures ,diverting debris pathways,and rerouting surface and underwater drainage. The most risky areas for flooding and rain slides are in the Chuquisaca department. Also, Volcano hazards such as pyroclastic flows, lava flows and ballistic projectiles are generally highly destructive. Future climate change may cause ice loss mass on volcanoes currently under glaciers may cause eruption. Check with local authorities for any local regulations concerning volcanic hazards. Check with existing for warning and evacuation check any national laws regulations and rules. Check with international volcanoist to investigate the volcanic hazards. If possible establish a relationship with local volcano observatory and agency. Volcanoes are very dangerous because these hazards are the most far reaching  and they can affect areas hundreds or even thousands of kilometers downwind of volcanoes. All cenozoic volcanoes of bolivia are part of the central volcanic zone of the Andean volcanic belt that results due to processes involved in the subduction of the Nazca plate under the South American plate. The central volcanic zone is a major upper Cenozoic volcanic province. The Andes volcanic belt is the most risky area for volcanoes effecting Argentina, Columbia, Bolivia, Ecuador, chile and Peru. If I was going to build my house I would build it in Uyuni a small safe town near the Andes known for the worlds largest salt flat. It is so beautiful it’s the legacy of a prehistoric lake that went dry leaving behind a desert like of Bright white salt rock formations and cacti studded islands it reflects the sky so beautifully and harbors many pink flamingos.

References 

Smartraveller.gov.au

Thinkhazard.org

Amp.the guardian.com

Floodlit.com/america/bolivia

Labos.ulg.ac.be

YouTube.com