An intensifying El Niño is contributing to severe weather across Latin America, with flooding, coastal erosion, mudslides and destructive storms reported from Mexico to Chile.
Paraguay is among the hardest-hit countries. Approximately 4,200 families have been affected by the rising Paraná River, according to the country’s emergency authorities.
Families in Ciudad del Este have taken refuge in churches and temporary shelters as floodwaters spread through residential areas. A 58-year-old woman died after her home collapsed during heavy rain.
In neighbouring Argentina, two farm workers died near Bella Vista in Corrientes province while attempting to move cattle away from flooded areas. Hundreds of residents have been evacuated elsewhere in the province.
On Mexico’s Pacific coast, severe erosion caused by pounding surf undermined part of a luxury condominium development in San Pancho, Nayarit, causing part of the structure to collapse and tilt toward the ocean.
Chile has experienced flooding, hail and mudslides, including a mudslide in Santiago earlier this month.
Peru has announced financial assistance and tax relief for businesses affected by extreme weather along its Pacific coast and plans billions of dollars in spending to mitigate economic damage.
The World Meteorological Organization says El Niño continues to strengthen and is expected to peak around December.
WMO forecasts exceptionally high sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific during the final months of 2026. The changing ocean temperatures can alter rainfall patterns worldwide, bringing extreme rainfall to some regions while increasing drought risks elsewhere.
WHAT WE KNOW: The current weather damage extends across several countries rather than representing a single local storm. Meteorologists expect El Niño to continue strengthening into the end of the year.
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