Landslide in Zamora: Basic services restored and road reopened

Ecuador's national government has made significant progress in addressing the emergency caused by a landslide in Kantzama, within the Guadalupe parish of Zamora Chinchipe province. Efforts have focused on restoring essential services and ensuring security in the wake of the disaster.

The Regional Electric Company of the South (Eerssa) successfully restored electricity to 2,440 users in the Yacuambi canton and parts of Guadalupe parish early Saturday. This was achieved through a load transfer from the El Pangui Substation. While the landslide initially impacted 97 electrical services, technical work reduced this to six affected services, including two destroyed transformers.

Potable water supply has also been largely restored. The Ministry of Environment and Energy coordinated with the Provincial Emergency Operations Committee (COE) to address the issue. The main water intake for Zamora city was temporarily suspended due to river turbidity but resumed service. Shelters and Guadalupe parish have normal supply, though Cantzama and Santa Isabel neighborhoods face a 20% reduction in their distribution network.

Security and mining regulation are also key concerns. The Agency for Regulation and Control of Mining (Arcom) deployed technical teams, supported by the Armed Forces, to inspect the area for illicit mineral extraction activities. If illegal operations are confirmed, the government will enforce penalties, including machinery seizure. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport reported that the E50 Loja-Zamora highway has been reopened to traffic, with ongoing cleanup operations and advisories for drivers to proceed with caution.

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The National Government remains on the ground to comprehensively address the emergency.