El Niño Threat Looms Over Asunción Amid Unfinished Storm Drain Projects

Residents in Asunción, Paraguay, are expressing deep concern about the impending arrival of the El Niño phenomenon, fearing its impact due to unfinished storm drain construction projects. These works, inherited from the previous administration of Óscar “Nenecho” Rodríguez, are reportedly stalled in several neighborhoods, leading to anxieties about potential flooding.

Communities in areas like Manorá and Santo Domingo report critical situations due to the paralysis of storm drain sections. Work that was promised to be completed within one to two months has now stretched to three months without finishing. Residents complain that workers have moved to other sectors, leaving the areas unattended. Unclosed trenches after pipe installations prevent property owners from using their garages, forcing them to leave vehicles exposed to potential flash floods. Some local businesses have been forced to relocate before going bankrupt, and individuals with disabilities require constant assistance due to being confined.

In contrast, some neighborhoods like Nuestra Señora del Carmen and Capitán Maciel report that their storm drain systems are functioning normally. However, a critical point remains with a deep, unfinished construction site in Capitán Maciel. The Santo Domingo project, which began nearly 500 days ago with a 12-month deadline, has only achieved a 35% completion rate. This project was awarded for G. 72.389 million to a consortium, with over G. 17.106 million already paid.

Meanwhile, in the San Pablo neighborhood, storm drain projects for the Lambaré and Itay basins have accumulated nearly 28 months of delays since their commencement. Despite these significant delays and residents' fears of flooding, the current municipal administration assures that the most critical stages of the projects have been overcome and that they are prepared for El Niño.