Iguazu Falls temporarily shut as river flow spikes amid El Niño rains
Iguazu National Park halted visitor access for a day after the river’s flow surged past 12,000 cubic meters per second, then reopened as levels fell.
Authorities at Iguazu National Park briefly barred visitors after the Iguazu River surged to over 12,000 cubic meters per second, a flow more than six times its usual volume. The park announced a temporary limitation on movement and public area access, but lifted the measure on Tuesday as the river’s discharge began to decline. This action mirrors earlier closures in the northeastern park during the 2023-24 El Niño-driven floods.
The national meteorological service reported above-average rainfall in Argentina’s coastal region, comparable to strong El Niño events. Meanwhile, a hydroelectric plant on the Paraguayan border said the Parana River’s flow was 37 % above historical norms in September and 40 % higher so far in October. Local media noted that dozens of people living along the Uruguay River have been evacuated due to rising waters.
Why it matters
The brief shutdown highlights how extreme El Niño conditions are already disrupting major tourist sites and river systems in South America.
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