South American river flooding 2026

In late July 2026, heavy rains linked to an El Niño event caused river and lake levels to rise across parts of Argentina and Brazil. In Rosario, Argentina, the Paraná River reached 2.71 m, prompting the naval prefecture to issue safety alerts and advise boaters to wear life jackets and avoid debris. The rise, though within seasonal norms, altered riverbanks and reduced beach areas, with authorities maintaining daily monitoring for a possible five‑meter threshold.

Further south, the Rio Paranhana in Parobé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil fell from a peak of 5 m to 3.50 m, shifting from flood to alert status. Local civil‑defense agencies kept response teams on standby, maintained shelters for displaced families, and urged residents to stay clear of flooded zones.

In Maringá, Paraná, the artificial lake at Parque do Ingá recorded a historic high of 479.44 m above sea level, the highest since systematic monitoring began in 2022. The surge followed the same period of intense July rainfall and reflected the impact of drainage‑channel upgrades implemented since early 2025.

Across the region, authorities continued to monitor water levels and advise precautionary measures as the combined effect of seasonal rains and El Niño heightened flood risks.