“Argentina Temporarily Closes Iguazu Falls as El Niño Swells River to Six Times Normal Flow” — what this page in the network covers. Argentine authorities briefly suspended tourist access to the famed Iguazu Falls this week after heavy rains linked to a powerful El Niño weather pattern pushed the Iguazu River to more than 12,000 cubic metres per second—over six times its average flow. National park officials took the precautionary measure on Monday, fearing the swollen river could burst its banks and endanger visitors. The closure affected the Argentine side of the falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site that draws millions of tourists annually to the border region between Argentina and Brazil.
El Niño, a periodic warming of Pacific Ocean waters, has been driving extreme rainfall across southern South America, causing widespread flooding and infrastructure strain. The Iguazu Falls, among the world’s largest waterfall systems, are particularly vulnerable to sudden surges in water volume, which can submerge walkways and viewing platforms. The full version stays on the original page, which this listing opens directly.