Ecuador Raises El Niño Alert to Orange in 17 Provinces

Ecuador has officially moved to an orange alert status in 17 provinces in anticipation of the El Niño phenomenon, signaling a heightened state of readiness. The National Emergency Operations Committee (COE) made the decision during a meeting on Monday, July 20, 2026, citing the increasing temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.

This escalation from a yellow alert reflects technical analyses by the Erfen Committee, which confirm that Pacific Ocean temperatures are above normal, indicating an active phase of El Niño. The orange alert encompasses 143 cantons and 491 parishes nationwide. The government has earmarked approximately $600 million to be distributed across various ministries for preventive actions, including infrastructure improvements and the procurement of necessary equipment.

Key resolutions adopted by the COE include the immediate execution of the National Action Plan for El Niño, bi-weekly reports from the Erfen Committee, and the implementation of a communication strategy by the National Secretariat for Risk Management and the Secretariat of Communication. Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Roberto Luque, urged local governments to intensify critical tasks such as river dredging and sewer system maintenance.

A significant concern for the COE is the readiness of local decentralized autonomous governments (GADs). Out of 246 entities, only 161 submitted their action plans, and 46 were returned due to deficiencies. The National Secretariat for Risk Management will provide technical support to help these local bodies correct their plans, as they are the primary responders in emergencies. While the phenomenon's active phase is technically underway, officials have not provided a precise date for the onset of heavy rainfall. The country also remains vigilant for other potential impacts like droughts in the Amazon region and increased forest fires, as previously warned by the UN.