Heavy rain and floods: How is El Niño affecting Argentina
Experts say the phenomenon will hit hardest in the region between October and November, but it’s already taking a toll La entrada Heavy rain and floods: How is El Niño affecting Argentina se publicó primero en Buenos Aires Herald .
Heavy rainfall and flooding have begun to impact Argentina as the El Niño climatic phenomenon officially commenced in June but became more intense in August. Expected to peak between October and December, the "Super Niño" is anticipated to be one of the most powerful episodes in the last four decades, affecting the northeast of Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Brazil.
The Argentine region currently facing early effects of El Niño is the Litoral, particularly the northeastern provinces of Misiones, Corrientes, and Entre Ríos. These areas are home to several rivers, including the Uruguay and Paraná rivers. Heavy rainfall has led to a significant increase in the flow of these rivers, causing severe flooding. In response, hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in Corrientes, Entre Ríos, and Misiones.
Authorities have taken measures to regulate water levels in binational hydroelectric plants Yacyretá (shared between Argentina and Paraguay) and Itaipú (Paraguay and Brazil) to prevent further damage. Both plants have opened their dams to accommodate the increased water flow and even suspended tourist visits for safety reasons.
The flooding has also affected Ciudad del Este in Paraguay, near the Triple Frontier area where Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay converge. Evacuation operations have been implemented to ensure the safety of residents.
The Iguazú Falls, situated at the border between Misiones, Argentina, and Paraná, Brazil, have been impacted by the rising water levels. The Argentine Iguazú National Park has restricted access to the main attraction areas, including trails and walkways leading to the waterfalls, due to safety concerns. The park remains open, but tourists can still visit other attractions. Brazilian authorities have also restricted access to the viewing platform and removed the structure to avoid the water dragging it away.
Experts predict that El Niño will likely reach its peak intensity between October and December and will persist throughout the next semester. The phenomenon is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, which significantly influence weather conditions worldwide.
Written by urgent.news from Buenos Aires Herald's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
