Tucumán faces intense storms and flooding risks due to El Niño

Tucumán faces a period of intense and frequent storms between October and March due to the “Súper Niño” phenomenon. According to Leandro Díaz, director of the Hydraulic Construction Laboratory at the National University of Tucumán, the primary risk is not necessarily an increase in total rainfall volume, but rather the increased frequency of extreme, concentrated precipitation events.

Atmospheric warming is expected to enhance these localized but violent storms. The region's geography exacerbates the risk, as mountains in the north and west can block humid winds, causing heavy rainfall in piedmont areas.

Urban development has increased vulnerability, as many residential areas have been built over natural watercourses and paleochannels. When intense rainfall exceeds the capacity of drainage systems, such as gutters and storm drains, it leads to pluvial flooding. Additionally, river overflows pose a secondary threat, particularly in locations like La Madrid.