# Latin America El Niño response: floods, drought, and risks

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/andean-el-nio-flood-preparedness
> Updated: 2026-09-14T23:57:12.000Z. Sources: 176. Developments: 24.

As of mid-September 2026, the El Niño phenomenon—referred to by some as ‘Super Niño’—continues to drive extreme weather risks across Latin America. The National Meteorological Service (SMN) in Argentina maintains a 100% probability that the phenomenon will persist through the current quarter with strong or very strong intensity, with peak impacts anticipated between late October and February.

In Argentina, a polar maritime air mass has triggered widespread extreme weather alerts. The SMN has issued yellow alerts for extreme cold, rain, and snow. Significant temperature drops have been reported in Tucumán, Córdoba, San Luis, Mendoza, and Buenos Aires. In Tucumán, Route 307 has closed due to ice and snow, while in Córdoba, heavy snowfall forced the total closure of the Altas Cumbres route (E-34). Southern provinces, including Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego, are also under yellow alerts for snowfall accumulations of 10 to 20 centimeters. In Uruguay, Inumet reports a cold weekend with temperatures around 14°C in Montevideo.

To mitigate regional risks, the provinces of Córdoba, Santa Fe, and Entre Ríos have signed a regional cooperation agreement to coordinate emergency responses. In Santa Fe, Vialidad Nacional has implemented prevention schemes for the road network to prepare for a potential rise in the Paraná River, specifically targeting National Routes 168 and 11. Similarly, in Entre Ríos, Civil Defense and Volunteer Firefighters are coordinating protocols for the Uruguay River basin to manage potential flooding.

Researchers from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) have further warned that El Niño is expected to intensify between September and November, heightening the risk of flooding and heavy rainfall, particularly in the Litoral region and Buenos Aires province.

## Claims

- The probability of El Niño reaching strong or very strong intensity increases during the southern spring. (disputed by 6 sources)
- A polar air mass is causing a significant drop in temperatures and unstable weather across much of Argentina. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Honduras has declared Red Alert in 75 municipalities, Yellow Alert in 71, and Green Alert in 88 due to severe drought. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- A yellow alert for extreme cold has been issued for Tucumán and several other provinces. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Snowfall has been recorded in the Altas Cumbres region of Córdoba. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Route E-34 through the Altas Cumbres has been completely closed due to snow and ice. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Argentina's Ministry of Health activated a contingency plan to assist 920,211 people in risk zones due to El Niño. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- President Keiko Fujimori announced S/ 800 million to strengthen preparations for El Niño-related rains and droughts in Peru. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The National Water Authority (ANA) identified 70 critical points in rivers and ravines requiring urgent attention to reduce flood risks. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The United Nations has mobilized over 80 million dollars to combat the drought in Honduras. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Formosa's geography features a very slight westward-to-eastward slope, causing runoff to flow toward the Paraguay River. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The most intense precipitation from El Niño is expected between late October and February. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-14: Argentine municipalities launch emergency plans for El Niño

Argentine municipalities, including Villa Mercedes and La Plata, are launching emergency management units and prevention campaigns to prepare for severe storms driven by the El Niño phenomenon.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentine-municipalities-launch-emergency-plans-for-el-nio

### 2026-09-11: Argentina and Uruguay face extreme weather alerts

Extreme cold, snow, and rain alerts are in effect across Argentina and Uruguay as a polar air mass brings dangerous temperatures and road closures in regions like Tucumán and Córdoba.

52 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-faces-increased-flood-risks-due-to-el-nio-intensification

### 2026-09-10: Universidad Nacional del Litoral calls for volunteers amid El Niño water emergency risk

The Universidad Nacional del Litoral has called for volunteers to form a response network to assist with potential water emergencies caused by the El Niño phenomenon in Santa Fe, Argentina.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/universidad-nacional-del-litoral-calls-for-volunteers-amid-el-nio-water-emergency-risk

### 2026-09-08: Agricultural producers advised to prepare for heavy rains and El Niño

Agricultural experts in Paraguay and Argentina advise producers to prepare for heavy rains and El Niño conditions by adjusting planting schedules and monitoring crops for disease and flooding.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/agricultural-producers-advised-to-prepare-for-heavy-rains-and-el-nio

### 2026-09-06: Emergency services in Argentina conduct disaster response drills

Emergency services in Argentina are conducting drills, including a firefighter training exercise in Avellaneda and a large-scale flood simulation in Córdoba's Villa Páez neighborhood.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emergency-services-in-argentina-conduct-disaster-response-drills

### 2026-09-06: Mendoza municipalities implement prevention plans for Super Niño

Municipalities in Mendoza, Argentina, are activating emergency prevention plans and early warning systems to prepare for the “Super Niño” phenomenon and its expected severe storms.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mendoza-municipalities-implement-prevention-plans-for-super-nio

### 2026-09-05: Argentina implements regional contingency plans for El Niño

Argentina is activating widespread flood prevention and infrastructure plans as the El Niño phenomenon intensifies, with heavy rainfall expected to peak between late October and February.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-prepares-for-el-nio-phenomenon-impacts

### 2026-08-27: Argentina implements El Niño prevention measures in Tucumán and Entre Ríos

Argentine authorities are coordinating emergency plans and deploying heavy machinery in Tucumán and Entre Ríos to mitigate risks associated with the El Niño phenomenon.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/salto-grande-delivers-flood-prevention-equipment-to-entre-ros

### 2026-08-26: Entre Ríos livestock producers relocate cattle ahead of Super Niño

Livestock producers in Argentina's Entre Ríos Delta are moving cattle to prevent isolation and losses as the ‘Super Niño’ climate phenomenon threatens significant flooding and rising river levels.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/entre-ros-livestock-producers-relocate-cattle-ahead-of-super-nio

### 2026-08-23: Regional authorities implement flood prevention and water management works

Authorities in Argentina, Spain, and Uruguay are conducting preventive drainage cleaning and canalization works to mitigate flood risks from heavy rains and river surges.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/water-management-works-underway-in-argentina-and-spain-to-prevent-flooding

### 2026-08-22: Livestock producers in Paraguay and Argentina face weather-driven logistical risks

Livestock producers in Paraguay and Argentina face logistical disruptions and sanitary risks due to heavy rains, rising river levels, and the potential impact of the El Niño phenomenon.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/livestock-producers-in-paraguay-and-argentina-face-weather-driven-logistical-risks

### 2026-08-18: Latin America responds to El Niño drought and flood risks

Latin American countries are deploying emergency funds and humanitarian aid to combat El Niño-driven droughts in Honduras and flood risks in Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay.

45 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-activates-sanitary-contingency-plan-for-el-nio-risks

### 2026-08-13: Vera, Argentina faces flooding and livestock displacement

Heavy rainfall and the El Niño phenomenon are causing flooding in Vera, Santa Fe, forcing livestock producers to relocate cattle and prompting municipal preventive infrastructure works.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vera-argentina-faces-flooding-and-livestock-displacement

### 2026-08-11: Argentine municipalities prepare for El Niño flooding risks

Argentine municipalities Villa Ocampo and Laguna Paiva are preparing for El Niño-related flooding through livestock evacuation protocols and drainage system maintenance.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentine-municipalities-prepare-for-el-nio-flooding-risks

### 2026-08-05: Ecuador fights forest fires in Guano and Guayaquil neighborhoods

Ecuador’s fire services tackled two forest fires on Aug 6 – one in Guano’s Tahualag area (3,500 m² burned) and another in Guayaquil’s Socio Vivienda 1, with heavy smoke and multiple firefighting units deployed.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-fights-forest-fires-in-guano-and-guayaquil-neighborhoods

### 2026-08-01: Recreo, Argentina Sets Flood Plan as El Niño Threatens Livestock

Argentina's city of Recreo readies a flood contingency plan for expected El Niño rains, while SENASA and INTA advise livestock producers in Corrientes and Misiones on evacuation and pasture protection.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/recreo-argentina-sets-flood-plan-as-el-nio-threatens-livestock

### 2026-07-19: Ecuador’s Los Cedros Forest and Guayaquil Green Spaces Advance Community Ecotourism

Ecuador’s Los Cedros forest and Guayaquil’s protected hills are being promoted for community ecotourism, blending biodiversity conservation with local livelihoods, though they face limited support and urban‑exp

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuadors-los-cedros-forest-and-guayaquil-green-spaces-advance-community-ecotourism

### 2026-07-19: Ecuador Approves $2.2 B Polo Forestal Eucalyptus Plantation Project Amid Environmental Concerns

Ecuador endorses a $2.2 B eucalyptus pulp plant project in La Concordia, sparking concerns over biodiversity loss, water use and fire risk.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-approves-22-b-polo-forestal-eucalyptus-plantation-project-amid-environmental-concerns

### 2026-07-14: Ecuador launches major conservation projects for forests and flagship wildlife species

Ecuador inaugurated two conservation efforts: a UN‑backed pilot to protect the Andean bear and jaguar, and a $1 million incentive program for forest protection across 23 provinces.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-launches-major-conservation-projects-for-forests-and-flagship-wildlife-species

### 2026-07-13: El Niño drought strains livestock in Puerto Rico and farms in Argentina

El Niño drought cripples Puerto Rican livestock, while Argentina’s INTA advises farmers on flood mitigation and crop protection.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/el-nio-drought-strains-livestock-in-puerto-rico-and-farms-in-argentina

### 2026-07-06: Ecuador Launches $28 Million Forest‑Fire Prevention Campaign Amid El Niño Risks

Ecuador has started a $28 million national forest‑fire prevention campaign for July‑September, citing El Niño‑related heat and dry conditions that heighten wildfire risk.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-launches-28-million-forestfire-prevention-campaign-amid-el-nio-risks

### 2026-07-03: Argentina's Corrientes and Ecuador's Manabí Activate El Niño Contingency Measures

Argentina's Corrientes and Ecuador's Manabí have launched emergency actions to mitigate the upcoming El Niño, including river‑bank reinforcement and clearing works that protect thousands of residents and farms.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentinas-corrientes-and-ecuadors-manab-activate-el-nio-contingency-measures

### 2026-06-27: Catacaos residents fear flood disaster as El Niño approaches amid delayed sewage project

Over 66,000 people in Catacaos, Peru, worry about imminent El Niño rains as a stalled S/201 million sewage project leaves the town vulnerable to flooding and traffic chaos.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/catacaos-residents-fear-flood-disaster-as-el-nio-approaches-amid-delayed-sewage-project

### 2026-06-12: Ecuador Urges El Niño Preparedness Ahead of Expected Heavy Rains

Ecuadorian experts urge drain cleaning, water‑security measures and community preparedness as El Niño is expected to bring heavy rains and flood risks.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-urges-el-nio-preparedness-ahead-of-expected-heavy-rains

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Cite as: Latin America El Niño response: floods, drought, and risks. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/andean-el-nio-flood-preparedness