Floods caused by heavy rain in Bolivia over the weekend have killed at least 20 people, authorities said.
Deputy Civil Protection Minister Alfredo Troche told reporters on Sunday that major flooding hit the city of Santa Cruz after the Pirai River overflowed its banks.
Many people remain missing, Troche said, adding that search and rescue operations are continuing without interruption.
President Rodrigo Paz said a crisis and situation room was set up at the Government Palace in the administrative capital La Paz to closely monitor developments in the affected areas.
Paz said efforts are being made to declare a national state of emergency in the regions affected by the floods.
He warned that the effects of El Niños and La Niños climate patterns are continuing and the country could face heavy rainfall over the next three to five months, followed by periods of drought.
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