Argentina briefly closes Iguazu Falls to tourists over El Nino

Iguazu National Park announced a temporary restriction on movement and access to public areas. (EPA Images pic) BEONUS AIRES: Fear of overflowing rivers forced Argentine authorities to temporarily block tourist access to the breathtaking Iguazu Falls on Monday, attributing rising water levels to the El Nino weather pattern.

National park officials took the precautionary measure when the Iguazu River's flow exceeded 12,000 cubic meters per second - more than six times its average rate.

"A temporary restriction on the movement of people and access to public areas has been put in place," Iguazu National Park announced.

It later said the area would reopen to tourists on Tuesday, citing a "gradual decline" in the river's flow.

The northeastern park closed over flooding caused by a previous El Nino cycle in 2023 and 2024.

UN experts have predicted an exceptionally strong cycle of the climate phenomenon, which causes global changes in winds and rainfall as well as erratic weather conditions.

Last month, Argentina's coastal region experienced above-average rainfall "similar to that seen during strong El Nino events," the national meteorological service noted.

The Parana River's flow exceeded historical averages by 37% in September, and by 40% so far in October, a hydroelectric plant on the Paraguayan border said Monday.

Dozens of people living on the banks of the Uruguay River evacuated their homes due to flooding along the major waterway, according to local press reports.