As the potential risk of the Paraguay River overflowing looms, the Paraguayan capital, Asunción, has entered a state of high alert to protect residents in vulnerable areas. Eduardo Mingo, head of the National Directorate of Meteorology, warned that while the current water level of the Paraguay River in Asunción is 1.79 meters, which is normal, the level could rise rapidly if heavy rainfall continues in various parts of the river basin.
In preparation for this situation, the Asunción Municipal Directorate of Risk and Disaster Management is working with the National Emergency Secretariat (SEN) to implement preventive measures to protect riverside residents. Alejandro Buso, coordinator of the Disaster Risk Management Directorate, stated, "Traditional shelters are no longer suitable or are being used for other urban development projects, so we are preparing spaces that can provide a better environment for about 1,000 families."
Currently, Asunción is conducting water level measurements in the Paraguay River's riverside areas, particularly in the southern Bañado and Costanera neighborhoods. Although the river level does not yet pose an immediate threat, water levels are already rising in the Chaco region, and heavy rainfall in the northern region could also affect the Paraguay River's level.
Accordingly, Asunción is establishing contingency plans for areas that can be used as temporary shelters in preparation for potential flood risks. The Paraguay River is the second-largest river in South America after the Amazon and is Paraguay's main water source. However, due to climate anomalies such as El Niño, the river's water level fluctuates rapidly, and the low-lying Bañado area is particularly vulnerable to flooding.
The Paraguayan government has experienced severe damage in the past due to Paraguay River flooding, with tens of thousands of people displaced. In 2014, flooding of the Paraguay River displaced more than 100,000 people in Asunción alone, and in 2018, large-scale flooding inundated thousands of homes.
In preparation for this flood risk, Asunción is building a more systematic response system based on past experiences. The Disaster Risk Management Directorate is strengthening its system for real-time monitoring of river level changes and rapidly disseminating flood risk information to residents. Additionally, it is preparing evacuation routes for swift evacuation in the event of a flood and establishing stockpiles of relief supplies and a medical support system.
Asunción is raising public awareness about flood risks and conducting pre-education and training so that residents can evacuate quickly in the event of an emergency. It is also strengthening cooperation with the local community by building a volunteer network and providing support so that residents can help each other in the event of a flood.
The flooding of the Paraguay River is not just a problem for Asunción but for Paraguay as a whole. Therefore, the Paraguayan government must establish a national-level flood prevention and response system and work towards the sustainable development of the Paraguay River basin from a long-term perspective. Furthermore, it must seek joint responses to climate change through international cooperation and continue efforts to minimize flood damage.
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