ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — Officials in Paraguay say they've had to evacuate some 40,000 people because of flooding across the South American nation.

National emergency official Joaquín Roa says more than 10,000 of the evacuees are in the capital of Asuncion. They've been moved to higher ground at military bases, public plazas and roadsides.

The other evacuees are scattered across the country along the rain-swollen Paraguay River. Its normal stage is 4 meters (13.10 feet), but it's reached 6.92 meters (22.7 feet) in the capital due to unusually heavy rains since March.

Regional ranchers' association official Carlos Jiménez says that some 480,000 head of livestock in the Bajo Chaco region are either standing in water or isolated on small high spots.