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Paraguay conducts drills as El Niño approaches
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Disasters & Emergencies

Paraguay conducts drills as El Niño approaches

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Paraguay is preparing for the arrival of El Niño, a weather phenomenon expected to bring intense droughts and heavy rains.
  • The National Emergency Secretariat is conducting drills and preparing temporary shelters to assist affected populations.
  • El Niño is predicted to impact Paraguay starting in August, with particular concern for river basins and low-lying areas.

Paraguay is actively preparing for the anticipated arrival of the El Niño weather phenomenon, which the World Meteorological Organization has warned could bring periods of intense drought and heavy rainfall. The country's National Emergency Secretariat (SEN) is coordinating with various institutions to conduct drills and readiness exercises.

According to Paraguay's Directorate of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), El Niño is expected to significantly affect the country starting in August, with its intensity potentially peaking then. The phenomenon is known for causing extreme weather patterns globally, including prolonged dry spells and severe flooding.

We met today to discuss that issue, as well as the opening of our temporary shelter which is already installed at Costanera Norte and which we want to open next Thursday at 8 in the morning.

— Arsenio ZárateArsenio Zárate, minister of the National Emergency Secretariat, detailed the preparations for El Niño.

Arsenio Zárate, minister of the SEN, stated that the primary concern is the potential for both riverine and pluvial flooding due to anticipated heavy rainfall and rising river levels. The SEN is preparing a temporary shelter at Costanera Norte, scheduled to open soon, to provide refuge for those needing it when temperatures drop to 10 degrees Celsius or below.

Studies indicate that the Paraguay, Paraná, and Pilcomayo river basins, along with internal rivers, are most vulnerable to flooding. The capital and the town of Alberdi are highlighted as key areas of concern. Alberdi's flood defenses require upgrades, but a stalled tender process is delaying necessary improvements. The Western Region also faces risks, as its clay-rich soil saturates quickly, leading to widespread waterlogging, compounded by poor road infrastructure that hinders access during heavy rains.

We are meeting today to discuss that issue, as well as the opening of our temporary shelter which is already installed at Costanera Norte and which we want to open next Thursday at 8 in the morning. It will be available to people who want to use our shelter when the temperature is 10°C or lower.

— Arsenio ZárateArsenio Zárate, minister of the National Emergency Secretariat, explained the readiness measures, including a new shelter.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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