World · Latin America · 2 hrs ago
Iguazú Falls closed as heavy rain raises river levels in Argentina
Authorities in northeastern Argentina closed access to Iguazú Falls on Monday after heavy rain caused the river to swell.
The flow exceeded 12,000 cubic metres per second, more than six times its average level.
The closure is a precaution, and officials have not said when the falls will reopen.
The region is facing forecasts of more rain linked to El Niño, a climate pattern that can increase the risk of floods and droughts.
The Paraná River has also been running above its historical average, while rising levels on the Uruguay River have led to evacuations in some riverside areas.
Flooding previously damaged walkways at the falls in 2023 and 2024, and one section had already been closed as a precaution in August.
Argentina’s meteorological service expects excess rainfall to increase as the year progresses, especially in the summer and autumn of 2027.
Authorities closed access to Iguazú Falls in northeastern Argentina on Monday after heavy rain caused the river to swell.
The river’s flow exceeded 12,000 cubic metres per second, more than six times its average level.
The Iguazú National Park administration and the company operating the tourist circuit restricted access as a precaution.
Warnings were also issued about rising levels in the Paraná and Uruguay rivers, with more rain forecast.
The park did not specify when it would reopen.
- Who
- The Iguazú National Park administration and the company operating the tourist circuit restricted access.
- What
- Access to Iguazú Falls was closed after the river swelled.
- When
- Monday. The article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Iguazú Falls, in Misiones Province in northeastern Argentina.
- Why
- Heavy rainfall caused the river’s flow to exceed 12,000 cubic metres per second, and further rain was forecast.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The park was previously closed due to flooding during another El Niño episode, which destroyed walkways in the Devil's Throat section.
Park authorities closed the Devil's Throat section and removed walkways as a precaution.
Authorities closed access to Iguazú Falls after the river's flow exceeded 12,000 cubic metres per second.
The entity responsible for the Yacyretá hydroelectric plant reported that Paraná River flows were 40 percent above historical averages so far in October.
- River flow
- More than 12,000 cubic metres per second
- Compared with average
- More than six times the average level
- Park location
- Misiones Province, Argentina
- Paraná River flow
- 40 percent above historical averages so far in October
- El Niño rainfall outlook
- Excess rainfall could increase during the austral summer and autumn of 2027
What people are saying
Temporary restrictions are being imposed on the movement of people and access to public-use areas
it just keeps raining
similar to the average for strong El Niño events
initially, the excess rainfall is relatively small, but it increases as the year progresses, particularly during the austral summer and autumn
Sources
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