El Niño drives Paraná River surge, dams open gates
Itaipú and Yacyretá release water as flows exceed historical averages by up to 40%, prompting evacuations and border closure.
KEY POINTS
- Paraná River inflows at Yacyretá 37% above historical average in September, 40% above in October
- Itaipú and Yacyretá dams opened spillways to manage reservoir levels and upstream discharges
- Yacyretá visits suspended and Ituzaingó–Ayolas border crossing closed Oct 13–17
- Evacuations in Corrientes (Apipé Island), Paso de los Libres (31 people), and Concordia (6 families)
- Misiones: Paranay creek bridge on Route 12 cut, communities isolated
The El Niño phenomenon is intensifying across Argentina's Litoral region, pushing Paraná River flows well above historical norms. Yacyretá reported inflows 37% above average in September and 40% above in early October, with high-water conditions expected through December.
To manage reservoir levels, the binational entities operating Itaipú and Yacyretá opened spillway gates. Yacyretá activated its secondary Aña Cuá spillway followed by the main spillway to absorb rainfall and discharges from 45 upstream Brazilian dams.
“El Niño recién está empezando en la Argentina y de acuerdo a lo que manifiestan los especialistas, se intensifica entre los últimos meses del 2026 y los primeros del 2027. Es un Niño muy fuerte”
Authorities suspended all tourist and technical visits to the Yacyretá dam from October 13 to at least October 17 for safety reasons. The border crossing between Ituzaingó, Argentina, and Ayolas, Paraguay, was also closed for the same period.
River levels are rising rapidly. Prefectura Naval measured 3.10 meters at Ituzaingó, near the 3.50-meter alert threshold, with a forecast of 4.2 meters. In Ayolas, levels may climb from 5.1 to 5.6 meters.
Downstream impacts are growing. In Misiones, the Paranay creek bridge on National Route 12 was cut, isolating communities. Evacuations occurred on Apipé Island in Corrientes, while 31 people left homes in Paso de los Libres and six families were relocated in Concordia due to the rising Uruguay River.
Yacyretá hydrology chief María Alejandra Cristanchi warned that El Niño is just beginning in Argentina and will strengthen between late 2026 and early 2027, calling it a "very strong" event whose effects may last several months.
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