El Nino rains wipe out Paraguay neighborhoods, with more to come

People ride in boats in a flooded area after the Parana river overflowed its banks due to heavy rain upstream, in Ayolas, Paraguay November 8, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo

AYOLAS, Paraguay (Reuters) - Heavy rains caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon has sent hundreds to shelters in the town of Ayolas in southern Paraguay, with residents bracing for more flooding on the way.

At least five neighborhoods in the town, about 186 miles (300 km) from capital Asuncion, were left under water after storms last week caused the Parana River to burst its banks.