Argentina temporarily closes Iguazu Falls after floodwaters surge from heavy rain

Argentinian authorities briefly closed tourist access to Iguazu Falls on Monday, 12 October 2026, after heavy rainfall caused river levels to rise rapidly. The Guardian, the Jamaica Observer, and Roya News all reported that national park officials took the precautionary step over concerns that the surging river could overflow its banks. [1][2][5]

The Guardian reported that the surge was driven by a heavy rain event connected to an El Nino weather pattern. According to the Guardian, the flow rate of the Iguazu River surpassed 12,000 cubic metres per second, which is more than six times its normal average volume. [1]

Iguazu Falls sits on the border of the Argentine province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Parana, forming the largest waterfall system in the world. The falls divide the Iguazu River into upper and lower sections, with most of the falls situated on the Argentine side. Iguazu National Park in Argentina was established in 1934 and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. [6][8]