Flash floods and river floods | Turbiones y crecidas en los ríos

By Jorge Soruco, Vision 360:

Rising waters of the Piraí and Río Grande rivers put Santa Cruz on alert

Authorities detected the formation of turbions, so they remain on alert for possible flooding and flash floods.

Un turbión en el río Piraí. Foto: Red Uno

A turbion in the Piraí River. Photo: Red Uno

Authorities in Santa Cruz are on alert due to the rise of several rivers, such as the Piraí and the Río Grande, as a result of the intense rainfall affecting the department. Turbions have been detected, increasing the danger for local populations.

“We have recorded rainfall throughout last night, and at dawn today turbions appeared. At this moment we have rising waters in the Piraí River, the Río Grande, the Parapetí, and also the Yapacaní,” said José Antonio Rivero, director of the River Channeling Service (Searpi).

Rivero reported that turbions and increased flow were detected in the Piraí, Grande, Parapetí, and Yapacaní rivers. For that reason, Searpi activated a preventive alert this Friday.

The official explained that the department is already fully in the rainy season, so alerts will remain active over the coming days. However, a slight improvement in weather conditions is expected for this Saturday, December 27.

“Apparently tomorrow we will have some improvement in the weather, but yesterday’s rains generated these turbions, with quite significant rises, especially in the area of the Piraí River and La Angostura. We have personnel deployed in different areas,” Rivero stated.

The service reported that the current level of the Piraí River exceeds three meters. The turbion is expected to reach the city of Santa Cruz in the next few hours.

For this reason, the public—especially those in cabin areas and zones near the rivers—has been asked to stay away from riverbeds and avoid activities in high-risk areas. It is also advised to stay informed and not expose oneself unnecessarily.

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