1 Sep 2013

Cold weather kills people, animals in South America

9:39 pm on 1 September 2013

Unusually cold weather and snow in parts of South America have affected thousands of people in several countries.

The cold spell has killed people in Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay.

The government in Peru has extended to 20 days, a state of emergency caused by the heaviest snowfall to hit the country in a decade.

The unusually cold weather has killed tens of thousands of llamas, alpacas, cattle and sheep, left farmers destitute and closed schools in 43 provinces.

In Paraguay, the authorities blamed the weather for the death of more than 5000 cattle.

Weather forecasters say a cold front from Antarctica entered the region almost a week ago.