Ecuador has been experiencing severe rainfall since February 14, 2025, affecting multiple provinces and necessitating a RED ALERT declaration in several regions due to heightened landslide risks. A state of regional emergency was declared by the National Secretariat of Risk Management on February 25, 2025, to address significant impacts on infrastructure and services, particularly health infrastructures.
Since February 14, 2025, heavy rainfall in Ecuador has adversely affected the provinces of Esmeraldas, Manabí, Guayas, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo, Los Ríos, and El Salvador. The excessive rain has led to negative impacts on the affected communities, including harm to people’s livelihoods and housing.
In response to the heavy rainfall, the National Secretariat of Risk Management issued two resolutions. The first, Resolution No. SNGR-046-2025, declared a RED ALERT in El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Manabí, Los Ríos, and Santa Elena due to risks of landslides, while an ORANGE ALERT was declared in Azuay, Bolívar, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Loja, and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. Additionally, a YELLOW ALERT was established in the remaining twelve provinces to caution against potential rainfall effects.
As of February 25, 2025, the National Secretariat of Risk Management declared a state of regional emergency lasting 60 days pursuant to RESOLUTION No. SNGR-050-2025. The emergency declaration aims to address the severe and recurring climatic events that have significantly impacted individuals, housing, basic services, and infrastructure while facilitating the allocation of emergency funds and personnel to the affected provinces.
The floods have severely compromised health infrastructure in Esmeraldas, Los Ríos, Guayas, and El Oro, diminishing the operational capacity of health facilities in those regions, which raises concern for the well-being of the population during this critical period.
In summary, Ecuador has declared multiple alerts and a state of emergency in response to recent heavy rainfall, which has resulted in substantial negative impacts on various provinces. With various alerts issued and a regional emergency declared, government actions aim to address the urgent needs of affected populations and mitigate further damages, especially to health services.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
