South America ramps up alerts and emergency plans amid El Niño and extreme cold

Argentina’s meteorological service issued multiple weather alerts as a cold front sweeps the country. A double yellow warning was declared for snow and rain in Chubut’s mountain districts, while an additional yellow alert for extreme cold covers eleven provinces, including Neuquén, Mendoza and Córdoba. Strong winds of up to 87 km/h and heavy snowfall are expected in Neuquén’s cordillera, prompting travel cautions.

In Ecuador, the government launched the national “No más incendios” campaign to curb forest fires during the high‑risk July‑September period. The programme promotes responsible fire use, community education and rapid reporting to ECU 911; it also cites penalties under the COIP, ranging from one to three years’ imprisonment, and longer sentences if lives are lost. In 2025 the country recorded 2,157 forest fires that burned more than 17,000 ha.

Brazil’s Ministry of Health conducted a nationwide emergency‑response drill to test readiness for potential El Niño‑related floods and river overflows, focusing on medical care in temporary shelters and mobile clinics.

Peru’s Junín region convened a regional civil‑defence platform, deploying seven work fronts and heavy machinery to clean and desilt rivers identified as vulnerable, with a budget of S/ 2.5 million largely already spent.

Separately, the municipality of Honda in Colombia warned residents of an intense heat wave linked to El Niño, with temperatures reaching 38‑44 °C and heightened fire risk.

Across these nations, authorities are emphasizing preventive measures, public advisories and coordinated actions to mitigate the combined impacts of extreme cold, heavy precipitation and the broader El Niño climate pattern.