Authorities closed access to the Devil's Throat circuit at Iguazu Falls on Thursday following a surge in river levels [1].
The closure of the Garganta del Diablo, the most famous section of the falls, disrupts tourism and highlights the volatile nature of the river system during extreme weather events.
The decision came after the Iguazu River's flow exceeded 8,500 cubic meters per second [4]. This spike in volume was triggered by intense rainfall in southern Brazil [1]. Some reports indicate that the El Niño phenomenon may have also influenced the weather patterns leading to the rise [2].
The circuit is located within the Iguazu National Park in Misiones Province, Argentina [1]. The preventive measure is designed to ensure visitor safety as the water levels reach historic proportions [5].
Park officials said they suspended visits to the specific area to avoid risks associated with the flooding [6]. While other parts of the park may remain accessible, the primary attraction of the Devil's Throat is currently unreachable. The situation remains under monitoring as the water from the Brazilian highlands continues to flow downstream into Argentina [1].
“The Iguazu River's flow exceeded 8,500 cubic meters per second.”
The closure underscores the ongoing vulnerability of major tourist landmarks to climate-driven weather extremes. By linking the surge to both regional heavy rains and the broader influence of El Niño, the event demonstrates how global atmospheric patterns can cause immediate, localized economic and operational disruptions in the tourism sector.
