Santaní residents worry El Niño will worsen rural road crisis

The expected arrival of El Niño is causing concern among rural residents in the San Estanislao area of San Pedro, especially in communities without all-weather roads.

The Public Works Ministry says San Pedro has more than 4,500 kilometres of dirt roads. Most are in poor condition because of a lack of maintenance, while repairs have recently become more difficult because road machinery is scarce.

Residents from several municipalities fear the prolonged rains forecast with El Niño could further isolate rural communities. Darío Larroza, from the San Isidro settlement in the district of 25 de Diciembre, said nearly all local roads need gravel to withstand traffic, particularly trucks carrying farm products.

“Right now, after the recent rains in this part of the municipality, no cargo truck can enter our settlement, so people are getting around by motorcycle and on foot. We will have even less road access when El Niño arrives,” Larroza warned.

Basilio Alfonzo, from Itapeguy in the Santaní district, said many residents are already travelling to the city by motorcycle or on foot because other vehicles cannot use the roads. Juan Cabral, the Public Works Ministry’s district chief, said heavy machinery cannot enter many locations to repair roads when weather conditions are poor.

“

Right now, after the recent rains in this part of the municipality, no cargo truck can enter our settlement, so people are getting around by motorcycle and on foot. We will have even less road access when El Niño arrives.