Paraguay Evacuates 60 Families as Paraná River Rises
PARAGUAY · FLOODS
Key Facts
- —What happened At least 60 families left San Rafael, Ciudad del Este, by Monday.
- —River level Itaipú measured 109.47 metres under the Friendship Bridge.
- —Forecast Itaipú expects about 115 metres there in the coming days.
- —Downstream Yacyretá’s operator expects 24,000 to 28,000 cubic metres per second.
- —Other areas Evacuations began in Ayolas, and water is rising at Cerrito.
- —Sources La Nación, ABC Color and Última Hora, citing Itaipú and the EBY.
The Paraná River is rising along Paraguay’s borders with Brazil and Argentina after heavy rain upstream. Families have left their homes, and the Yacyretá dam downstream has issued an alert.
At least 60 families have left their homes in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, as the Paraná River swells after heavy rain upstream. La Nación and ABC Color, two Asunción dailies, reported the evacuations on Sunday, 11 October, and Monday, 12 October.
Ciudad del Este faces Foz do Iguaçu across the Friendship Bridge, the Brazilian base for visitors to Iguaçu Falls. Itaipú, the giant hydroelectric dam that Paraguay and Brazil own together, is monitoring the river and helping the families.
Families Leave the Low-Lying San Rafael District
The families come from San Rafael, a riverside district where La Nación reported several flooded homes on Sunday. The daily Última Hora put the number moved to safety at about 60 families, in line with La Nación.
Itaipú Binacional, which runs the dam, is coordinating the work with the city, volunteer firefighters and the military, all three papers reported. The daily Última Hora named the navy and the army’s 3rd Infantry Division among the units helping.
Itaipú Expects the River to Reach About 115 Metres
Itaipú’s special flood committee measured the river at 109.47 metres under the Friendship Bridge, La Nación and Última Hora reported. Itaipú expects the level there to climb to about 115 metres in the coming days, according to Última Hora and ABC Color.
La Nación said the river could keep rising, and Última Hora quoted Itaipú as warning that the level “will keep increasing.” The same paper said the outcome depends on how much rain falls over the next few days.
Yacyretá Issues an Alert as Water Moves South
Downstream, the operator of the Yacyretá dam, shared with Argentina, issued a hydrological alert on Sunday, La Nación and ABC Color reported. Both said the Entidad Binacional Yacyretá (EBY) expects 24,000 to 28,000 cubic metres per second, after heavy rain in Brazil.
In Ayolas, the Paraguayan town beside Yacyretá, the evacuation of families at risk had begun by Sunday, La Nación reported. ABC Color published a photo on Monday showing naval prefecture staff carrying out evacuations in the Ayolas area.
Further south, both La Nación and ABC Color reported the river rising at Cerrito, a riverside community in Ñeembucú department. ABC Color said water had begun entering low-lying homes there, while La Nación said residents were moving cattle by boat.
What It Means for You
US travellers heading to Iguaçu Falls or Ciudad del Este should check local closures before they go. The Rio Times reported that Brazil shut the Iguaçu Falls walkway on Sunday as the Iguaçu River surged.
The Paraná is also the barge route for Paraguay’s soybean exports, which compete with US soybeans on world markets. Paraguay co-owns Itaipú with Brazil and Yacyretá with Argentina, both on the Paraná.
What Is Not Known
No official statement from Itaipú, the EBY or Paraguay’s National Emergency Secretariat (SEN) could be opened for this report. The facts here rest on La Nación, ABC Color and Última Hora, which cite those bodies and local officials.
The papers gave differing totals for people in shelters and for homes at risk, so those figures are left out. No outlet has reported a total number of evacuees for Ayolas or for Paraguay as a whole.
Reports differ on whether families in Ñeembucú have already been evacuated. It is also unclear whether the flood will disrupt barge traffic, since none of the papers reported shipping restrictions.
What Comes Next
Itaipú’s forecast points to about 115 metres under the Friendship Bridge in the coming days. The daily Última Hora said local institutions are preparing to help more residents who may have to leave their homes.
The EBY’s forecast of higher flows means towns such as Ayolas and Cerrito face further rises as the water moves south. La Nación reported that the EBY said its forecasts could change with the weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Is the Paraná River Flooding in Paraguay?
Families have been evacuated in the San Rafael district of Ciudad del Este and in Ayolas. The river is also rising at Cerrito, in Ñeembucú department.
How Many People Have Been Evacuated?
At least 60 families have left their homes in Ciudad del Este, according to local papers. No confirmed total for Ayolas or the rest of the country has been published.
How High Will the River Get?
Itaipú expects about 115 metres under the Friendship Bridge in the coming days, according to Última Hora and ABC Color. Its flood committee had measured 109.47 metres, according to La Nación and Última Hora.
Who Is Running the Evacuations?
Itaipú, the city government, volunteer firefighters and the military are leading the work. Naval prefecture staff are evacuating families near Ayolas.
Sources: La Nación, evacuations in Ciudad del Este, Cerrito and Ayolas; Última Hora, Ciudad del Este; ABC Color, Itaipú; ABC Color, Ñeembucú; ABC Color, Ayolas evacuations (all accessed 12 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief