In South America's Andes, farmers pray for rain to end drought

By Monica Machicao

TIHUANACU, Bolivia, Nov 25 (Reuters) - High in themountains of the Bolivian Andes, farmer Alberto Quispe has onething on his mind: rain.

In the rural area of Tihuanacu, around 100 kilometers (62miles) south-west of highland city La Paz, locals say there hasbeen little rain this season during a dry spell across theAndean regions due to a third straight La Nina weather pattern.

"When we raise our hands, we ask God to forgive us our sinsand to ask for rain for our crops, because in the fields wedon't have water, nor for the cattle," said Quispe, who climbedinto the hills with community members to pray for rain.

Around Bolivia, many areas have declared an emergency due tothe drought, which Bolivia's National Meteorology and HydrologyService expects will last until 2023, when the intensity of theLa Nina is expected to wane. The drought has hit crops inBolivia as well as in Argentina, Paraguay and Peru.

Quispe and others climbed Lloco Iloco hill with theirevangelical shepherd to ask for rain from both God and the localindigenous Aymara mountain deities, or Achachilas, raising handsto the skies while on their knees.

Just across the Bolivian border with Peru, the situation insimilar.

"The sun is burning, it's very strong, one can't even walkanymore, the heat in the countryside is even worse, and we don'thave water either," said Rosa Sarmiento from Desaguadero in Perunear the banks of the mighty Lake Titicaca.

"All the people are very worried."

In the Andean regions, drought in recent years has causedfalling water reservoir levels in places like Chile and led toimportant glaciers retreating. Drought has hit crops like wheatand soy, including this year in major grains producer Argentina.

In the village of Zapana Jayuma in Bolivia, the arid fieldsshow clear signs of heat damage.

"The land is very dry and we have not been able to plantpotatoes, broad beans, or yams," said Cecilia Aruquipa,community manager in the area.

"The heat is very strong and burning, we can no longer bearit, that is why we all do not go where there is shade becausethe heat is so intense."(Reporting by Monica Machicao; Writing by Adam Jourdan; Editingby Josie Kao)

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