La Paz, Bolivia’s high-altitude capital city, faces significant challenges due to its susceptibility to landslides. With its steep slopes, active geological processes, and socio-economic dynamics, the city has become a hotspot for landslide disasters, endangering lives and disrupting livelihoods.
A recent overview by AFP sheds light on the persistent hazards posed by landslides in La Paz. The city’s terrain, coupled with socio-economic pressures, exacerbates these risks. Notably, government policies aimed at addressing housing deficits unintentionally incentivize residents to settle in high-risk areas. By granting land ownership to illegal settlers, the policy inadvertently encourages habitation in unstable and dangerous locations.
History of Devastating Landslides
La Paz has a long history of catastrophic landslides. The 2011 landslide in the Callapa district destroyed approximately 400 homes, leaving a lasting scar on the community and terrain. Before-and-after imagery from Google Earth vividly captures the magnitude of the disaster, highlighting the sheer scale of destruction.
More recently, in November 2024, a landslide in the Bajo Llojeta suburb led to the destruction of 24 homes and caused flooding in the Pasajahuira River, which impacted 40 additional properties. Tragically, a 5-year-old girl lost her life. This area also suffered a major landslide in 2019, underlining the recurring nature of these disasters.
Socio-Economic and Structural Challenges
A study by O’Hare and Rivas (2005) delved into the root causes of landslide risks in La Paz, emphasizing the need for sustainable hazard mitigation strategies. Despite efforts to reduce risks in some parts of the city, the northern areas home to many marginalized communities remain particularly vulnerable. The lack of technical resources and structural support to mitigate landslides leaves residents in a precarious position.
The study called for a multi-faceted approach, including:
- Enhanced municipal and national assistance to support displaced victims.
- Structural solutions like drains, culverts, terracing, and slope support.
- Community-based strategies to improve coping mechanisms.
Unfortunately, these recommendations remain largely unimplemented, and the challenges identified two decades ago still resonate today.
The ongoing landslide crises in La Paz reflect a broader need for proactive disaster management and sustainable urban planning. The municipal authorities must prioritize adaptive measures to reduce risks and protect vulnerable populations. Without significant intervention, landslides will continue to claim lives, erode livelihoods, and hinder the long-term development of La Paz’s poorest communities.
As the words of O’Hare and Rivas aptly warn, unless meaningful and sustained action is taken, the landslide challenges in La Paz will persist for years to come.