Iguazu National Park, on the border with Brazil in the northeastern province of Misiones, will close the access to its most famous circuit, the Devil’s Throat (Garganta del Diablo), for 40 days.
The measure was taken due to the risk of extraordinary flooding in the Iguazu River and will take effect as of Monday. The goal is to protect the circuit’s metal structures in light of rain forecasts linked to the El Niño climate phenomenon.
The decision was announced by authorities from the National Parks Administration together with representatives of concessionaire Iguazú Argentina S.A., who said the operation will include the preventive removal of part of the infrastructure to avoid more extensive damage.
Unlike previous occasions, authorities have decided to completely dismantle sections of the walkways and metal railings before rising waters can affect the facilities. Once removed, the materials will be stored in secure warehouses until conditions allow them to be reinstalled.
The decision is based on studies conducted by agencies and companies that monitor climate and hydrological conditions in the Brazilian section of the Iguazu River basin.
Weather reports show that September and October could see river flows above normal levels, with the possibility of extraordinary flooding.
According to technical assessments, those floods could particularly affect the Devil’s Throat area, one of the most visited sites in Iguazu National Park and one of the sections where infrastructure is most exposed to rising water levels.
Last week, a 26-year-old tourist from the Netherlands died during a boat ride on the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls after the vessel he was in flipped over amid unusually high water levels caused by heavy rains.
Rest of Iguazu National Park to remain open
Although the Devil’s Throat circuit will be temporarily closed, authorities said Iguazu National Park will continue operating normally in all other visitor areas and circuits.
Park superintendent José María Hervás said attractions that will remain open include the Yvyrá Retá Visitor Center, Jaguar Territory, the Jungle Ecological Train, the Upper and Lower circuits, the Green Trail, the Macuco Trail, the historic Old Cataratas Hotel exhibit, and the park’s dining and commercial areas.
Alongside the preventive closure of the circuit, the Misiones provincial government has launched a contingency plan in response to the possibility of heavy rainfall and rising water levels in the Paraná, Uruguay, and Iguazu rivers.
The province has begun evaluating different scenarios in case riverside communities face complications, including possible preventive evacuations in the areas most exposed to flooding.
With information from Ámbito
