Argentina temporarily closes Iguazu Falls after El Niño-fuelled surge in water levels
National park officials took the precautionary measure to limit tourist access after heavy rain caused the Iguazu River to flow at six times the normal rate Heavy rainfall fuelled by a supersized El Niño weather pattern briefly forced Argentinian authorities to close tourist access to the famed Iguazu Falls, amid fears that rapidly rising water levels would cause the river to burst its banks.…
Argentina's Iguazu Falls briefly closed to tourists on Monday due to heavy rain caused by an intense El Niño weather pattern, officials said. The Iguazu River's flow had surged to six times its normal rate, reaching an alarming 12,000 cubic metres per second. This marked a significant increase from its average rate, prompting national park authorities to implement a precautionary measure to protect the iconic landmark from potential flooding.
The decision to limit access was made by José María Hervás, the director of the Iguazu national park, who explained that the heavy rainfall had been ongoing, and the river's water levels did not appear to be decreasing. The spectacular Iguazu Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site, straddles the Argentina-Brazil border and spans approximately 2,700 meters.
In previous years, such as 2023 and 2024, Argentinian authorities had also closed the park on the Argentine side amid flooding caused by an El Niño cycle. Meteorologists warn that the ongoing 2026-2027 El Niño event, the strongest ever recorded, is expected to bring even more extreme weather conditions, with global impacts extending well into the following year.
Argentina's national meteorological service has noted that the country's coastal regions have recently experienced above-average rainfall, comparable to what is typically seen during strong El Niño events.
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- Argentina briefly closes Iguazu Falls to tourists over El Nino freemalaysiatoday.com
