Ecuador Rains Leave 20 Dead, Thousands Affected

Ecuador is grappling with the severe impact of persistent rainfall, which has claimed the lives of 20 people since the beginning of the year. The latest fatality occurred in the Azuay province due to a landslide, while another death in Cotopaxi was attributed to a flash flood.

The consequences extend beyond loss of life, with 124,520 individuals affected, 293 homes destroyed, and extensive damage to road infrastructure across the country. The Guayas province, particularly its capital Guayaquil, has seen the highest number of affected people, with 62,353. Cotopaxi and Azuay provinces have recorded the most fatalities, with five and four deaths respectively.

In response to the ongoing crisis, a preventative yellow alert was issued on May 19 for 17 of Ecuador's 24 provinces. This measure aims to mobilize municipal and provincial emergency committees, bolster preventive actions, update response plans, and coordinate protective measures for the population against potential floods and landslides, especially in anticipation of the El Niño phenomenon.