El Niño: How is Paraguay preparing for the upcoming increase in rain and floods?

Paraguay is bracing for the anticipated effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to bring a significant increase in rainfall to the region starting in late August. This surge in precipitation could lead to widespread flooding, impacting thousands of families across the country.

The National Emergency Secretariat (SEN) has been actively coordinating with a coalition of over twenty state institutions. This collaborative effort, which includes a recent meeting with President Santiago Peña, aims to develop and implement robust mitigation plans. Minister Arsenio Zárate, head of the SEN, has outlined ongoing and upcoming initiatives designed to preempt and counteract the potential consequences of the increased rainfall.

A critical focus of the preventative strategy is the immediate cleaning of water channels, such as streams and rivers, which are frequently obstructed by garbage. Zárate emphasized the importance of this task, noting that clogged waterways exacerbate flooding in urban centers like Asunción and surrounding areas. The SEN is also planning to engage with municipal leaders in various departments, beginning with the Central department and later extending to Concepción and Alto Paraguay, to raise awareness and encourage proactive local measures.

In addition to infrastructure-focused prevention, the government is preparing to establish temporary shelters in Asunción for individuals who may be displaced by potential river overflows. Zárate highlighted that proactive prevention is significantly more cost-effective than responding to emergencies after they occur, underscoring the government's commitment to minimizing the impact of El Niño on its citizens.

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The prevention is more advantageous than responding after an emergency; the costs are much lower.