La Paz, November 22 (RHC/Democracy Now) – Bolivian President Evo Morales has declared a state of emergency as residents of La Paz and other major cities struggle with extreme water shortages amid Bolivia’s worst drought in a quarter-century.

Bolivian President Evo Morales said adverse climate phenomena had resulted in water shortages in different regions of the national territory and asked mayors, governors and the national government to mobilize economic resources to meet the plight.

Scientists say the retreat of Bolivian glaciers caused by global warming is also responsible for the lack of water, as 2 million people in the area rely on glacier melt as their water supply.

On Sunday, protesters gathered in the capital La Paz complained that mining projects are exacerbating the water scarcity.