Argentina temporarily restricts tourist access to Iguazu Falls after heavy rains raise the Iguazu River’s flow to dangerous levels. Reports say national park officials close the site as a precaution because the river’s rising water could overflow its banks.

Outlets describe the Iguazu River flow exceeding about 12,000 cubic metres per second—more than six times the usual rate. The Guardian and AFP-based reporting state the closure follows flood concerns linked to El Niño, a climate pattern that intensifies rainfall and disrupts weather. Authorities later indicate the area may reopen after water levels begin to fall, citing a gradual decline.

Other coverage places the incident within broader regional conditions. AFP and related reporting note that previous El Niño-driven flooding affected the area in 2023 and 2024. Additional references point to elevated flows on major nearby rivers, including the Parana and Uruguay, and to warnings and monitoring by meteorological and hydroelectric sources, alongside local reports of evacuations in some riverbank areas.