Iguazu Falls: Devil's Throat Closed for 40 Days Due to Possible Flooding

Iguazu National Park will close access to the Devil's Throat for 40 days due to the risk of extraordinary flooding in the Iguazu River. The measure will begin on Monday, August 3, and aims to protect the metal structures of the circuit in light of forecasts associated with the El Niño climate phenomenon.

The decision was announced by officials from the National Parks Administration (APN) along with representatives from the concessionaire Iguazu Argentina S.A., who explained that the operation will include the preventive removal of part of the infrastructure to avoid greater damage.

Unlike previous episodes, this time the authorities decided to completely dismantle sections of the walkways and metal railings before the water's advance could affect the facilities. Once removed, the materials will be transferred to safe storage until conditions allow for their reinstallation.

The concessionaire indicated that "in this context of high tourist influx, and based on the meteorological projections associated with the El Niño phenomenon, preventive measures have been taken to safeguard the infrastructure of the Falls Area."

Forecasts anticipate a possible rise in the Iguazu River.

The decision is linked to various studies conducted by organizations and companies dedicated to climate and hydrological monitoring of the Brazilian basin of the Iguazu River. Reports agree that September and October could present flows higher than usual, with the possibility of extraordinary flooding.

According to technical assessments, these floods could particularly affect the Devil's Throat area, one of the most visited points in Iguazu National Park and one of the zones where the infrastructure is most exposed to rising water levels.

The concessionaire explained that the decision "is based on forecasts and technical analyses that anticipate rises in the Iguazu River in the coming months," so it was decided to act preventively rather than wait for an emergency situation.

Although the Devil's Throat will remain temporarily closed, authorities clarified that Iguazu National Park will continue to operate normally in the rest of its circuits and areas open to visitors.

The park's manager, José María Hervás, detailed that attractions such as the Yvyrá Retá Visitor Center, Yaguareté Territory, the Ecological Train of the Jungle, the Lower and Upper circuits, the Green Path, the Macuco Path, the historical exhibition of the Old Cataratas Hotel, and the gastronomic and commercial sectors will remain available.

The announcement also included the participation of the national director of Operations of the National Parks Administration, José Albrizio, the general manager of Iguazu Argentina S.A., Carol Da Rosa, and the president of ITUREM, Leopoldo Lucas.

In parallel to the preventive closure of the circuit, the Government of Misiones has launched a contingency plan in anticipation of possible heavy rainfall and an increase in the flow of the Paraná, Uruguay, and Iguazu rivers.

The province began to evaluate different scenarios in light of the possibility of complications in riverside towns, including potential preventive evacuations in the most exposed areas.

Governor Hugo Passalacqua ordered the creation of an emergency committee to coordinate actions with the affected municipalities and to continuously monitor the evolution of the watercourses.

During meetings with national and international specialists, technicians confirmed the expectation of rainfall exceeding usual values for the coming months and warned that "risk scenarios range from strong to extreme."

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