Paraguay, over 600 families evacuated due to the flooding of the Paraná

Over 600 families were evacuated in Paraguay due to flooding caused by the flooding of the Paraná river, swollen by intense rainfall associated with the El Niño climate phenomenon. The emergency affects the department of Alto Paraná, on the border with Brazil, and the southern ones of Misiones and Ñeembucú, on the border with Argentina. According to the head of the National Secretariat for Emergencies, Arsenio Zárate, over 300 families have been transferred to safe areas in Ciudad del Este and nearby Hernandarias, where numerous homes are submerged in water.

Another 200 families were evacuated to Ayolas, 50 to San Cosme y Damián and another 50 to Cerrito.

The rising level of the Paraná has forced the hydroelectric plants of Itaipú, shared by Paraguay and Brazil, and Yacyretá, jointly operated by Paraguay and Argentina, to open their flood gates to cope with the increase in the river's flow. Itaipú predicts that the level of the Paraná could reach 121 meters above sea level.

The floods also caused the temporary closure of 14 migration control posts. The Paraguayan government expects El Niño to remain high in intensity until March 2027, with the risk of new torrential rains and further floods.