Heavy rainfall linked to El Niño forced Argentina to temporarily close Iguazu Falls to tourists on Monday as water levels surged to dangerous levels, the Guardian reports.
National park officials implemented the precautionary closure after the Iguazu River's flow reached more than 12,000 cubic metres per second, more than six times its normal rate. The surge followed intense rainfall fuelled by an unusually strong El Niño weather pattern.
Authorities acted out of concern that rapidly rising water levels could cause the river to overflow its banks, posing a risk to visitors and infrastructure at the popular attraction.
The closure marks a rare interruption to access at one of South America's most visited natural wonders, located on the border between Argentina and Brazil. The temporary nature of the measure reflects the unpredictable timing of severe weather events tied to El Niño cycles.