Irregular Ferry Schedule Leaves Passengers Stranded: Bartolina Ramos, councillor of the San Pedro de Tiquina Municipal Government, reported to Urgente.bo that ferry crossings are currently irregular. “There are no crossings happening at this moment [Thursday], and passengers are worried. Some have urgent travel needs to La Paz, but the strait is completely closed.”
Councillor Ramos indicated that ferry services have been experiencing frequent disruptions throughout the week. Closures can last for hours, leaving vehicles and passengers stranded until the wind and waves subside. “Yesterday [Wednesday], the crossing was closed before noon and remained closed until almost 5:00 PM,” she explained. “Only in the afternoon, when the strong winds calmed down, were vehicles and passengers able to cross.”
Early Onset of Disruptive Weather Patterns: Ramos also noted that these weather-related issues typically occur annually between August and September. However, the strong winds have arrived much earlier this year, causing unexpected disruptions to travel plans. “This strong wind always occurs, but usually in August. Now, it’s happening much earlier,” she stated.
Orange Alert Issued for Strong Winds: The National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (Senamhi) has issued an orange alert for moderate to strong winds. This weather phenomenon is expected to affect La Paz city, Lake Titicaca, and the northern La Paz region.
