LA PAZ, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia's National Meteorology and Hydrology Office (Senamhi) issued an orange alert on Tuesday in the west of the country due to heavy snowfall.

The alert was issued in the departments of La Paz, Oruro, Potosi and in parts of Cochabamba, Chuquisaca and Tarija.

Senamhi meteorologist Danilo Pomier said that the snows, which began on Monday, will persist until Thursday morning.

Sudden temperature drops are also expected in eastern regions, said Pomier.

Senamhi also issued an agricultural risk alert throughout the country, recommending that farmers take appropriate measures to avoid loss of livestock and agricultural production.

The extreme weather conditions also forced suspension of classes in most western regions and led to traffic cuts on the Oruro-La Paz and Oruro-Cochabamba routes.