El Niño forecast revives calls for coastal defense in Ayolas

The construction of coastal defenses for Ayolas has resurfaced as an urgent necessity amid forecasts of intense rains and flooding linked to the El Niño climate phenomenon. Social leader and lawyer Vidal Cáceres stated that this is a historic demand from citizens who have endured the consequences of cyclical Paraná River floods for decades.

Cáceres highlighted that the announcement of a major climate event renews the need to execute the coastal defense project. This initiative aims to protect families living in the low-lying riverside areas of the district, where floods cause significant material losses and often force residents to abandon their homes.

The lawyer recalled that authorities previously committed to advancing the construction. In 2016, Congress passed Law No. 5.654, declaring approximately 48 hectares as public utility and expropriating them for the Ayolas Municipality. These lands, encompassing the San Antonio, San José Mí, San Rafael, and Santa Rosa de Lima neighborhoods, were designated for the coastal defense project.

“

This is a historic demand from citizens who have endured the consequences of cyclical Paraná River floods for decades.

However, Cáceres asserted that the commitment to compensate affected individuals has never been fulfilled, and the project has seen no progress due to a lack of official follow-up. He noted that the current El Niño predictions, stemming from potential heavy rainfall in Brazil's Matto Grosso region, could lead to Itaipú dam releasing large volumes of water, forcing the Yacyretá dam to open its spillways.

These cyclical floods frequently compel numerous families to evacuate their homes for temporary shelters, resulting in substantial material damage and the loss of domestic animals. Cáceres urged district and departmental authorities, along with national representatives and the government, to prioritize the project's advancement. He believes the project, which has significant administrative development, could prevent families in risk zones from continuing to suffer the effects of the Paraná River overflows.

“

He is very, very aggressive at the moment. His confidence is good. He’s very relaxed on court at the moment, so this is good.