Violent thunderstorms brought the Dakar Rally to a temporary halt Saturday as heavy rain swamped the 817km seventh stage between the famed Bolivian salt flats of Uyuni and Salta in Argentina.

The race was stopped when water levels rose to dangerous levels at the 350km mark of the stage.

“The race has been suspended for the time being as a result of the violent thunderstorms sweeping through the second timed section,” said a race official.

“The sudden rise of water levels in a rio around 350 kilometres precipitated the decision.”

Forty motorcycles had already started the second part of Saturday’s stage just inside the Argentine frontier when the decision was taken.

No cars had yet entered the stage.

The weather has brought major headaches for the organisers of the 38th running of the Dakar with the first stage cancelled and the second and third stages also shortened.