Death toll from downpours in Bolivia rises to 37

LA PAZ -- Torrential rains in Bolivia have claimed a total of 37 lives since November, Juan Carlos Calvimontes, the deputy minister of civil defense, said Wednesday.

"The number of deaths has risen to 37, 16 of which are in the (central) department of Cochabamba. Six people are missing," the official said at a press conference.

In addition to Cochabamba, fatalities were registered in La Paz (8), Potosi (5), Chuquisaca (5), Tarija (2) and Santa Cruz (1). Three people are reported missing in La Paz, two in Cochabamba and one in Chuquisaca.

Some 379 homes have been destroyed, the vast majority (319) in the department of La Paz, 35 in Cochabamba, 20 in the department of Beni and five in Potosi, he said.

"We are talking about 1,684 affected communities ... 43,171 victims, a total of 161,125 families" impacted by the heavy rains, he added.

A weather alert from the National Meteorological and Hydrological Service is still in effect for the departments of La Paz, Cochabamba, Tarija, Pando, Beni and Potosi, said Calvimontes.