Iguazu National Park in northern Argentina reopened to visitors on Tuesday, La Nación reported, after a flood on the Iguazu River forced officials to close the park's trails for a day.

At its peak, the river's flow reached about 12,000 cubic meters of water per second. Park officials linked the flood to El Niño, a warm phase of the Pacific Ocean that shifts weather around the world, and to heavy rain upstream in southern Brazil.

The Guardian said the flow was more than six times the river's average level. La Nación put it at about 10 times the normal level for this time of year.

The park made the decision to reopen after technicians and rangers checked walkways, trails and other structures for damage, La Nación reported. Officials said they will keep watching the river closely, and they advised tourists to check official channels before they travel.

Park director José María Hervás said the park closed because "it just keeps raining," the Guardian reported. Argentina also issued warnings about rising water on the Paraná and Uruguay rivers, as forecasters expect more rain linked to El Niño.

The falls have closed for floods before, in 2023 and 2024. In August, walkways at the Devil's Throat, the park's most famous viewpoint, were removed after earlier high water. La Nación said the latest flood shows how exposed tourist sites are to more intense weather.

Iguazu Falls sit on the border between Argentina and Brazil. Thousands of visitors come each week, and the park is a key part of the local economy.

What we know: The park reopened Tuesday after inspections, following a flood of about 12,000 cubic meters per second.
What we don't: Whether more rain from El Niño will force new closures in the coming weeks.