The government of Ecuador has declared a 60-day national state of emergency in response to an unusually severe rainy season that has battered the country since January, leaving at least 11 people dead and affecting more than 50,000 residents, according to official authorities.
In a statement released by the Ecuadorian government, officials said the emergency declaration was prompted by the scale of damage inflicted on communities, road networks, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
The measure aims to accelerate response efforts and prevent the situation from worsening.
Heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms has triggered river flooding and landslides, particularly across coastal regions and mountainous provinces.
The extreme weather has disrupted daily life, damaged homes, and severely affected agricultural activity.
Carolina Lozano, Secretary of Risk Management, stated that technical analyses show rainfall levels have increased by 56%, while the impact on the population has risen by 154% compared to normal seasonal patterns.
Authorities reported that two people remain missing, while 24 others have been injured as a result of the disasters.
The damage assessment so far includes 82 homes completely destroyed, more than 13,500 houses damaged, 173 hectares of crops lost, and around 124,000 farm animals killed by flooding
Officials emphasized that the emergency declaration will help speed up humanitarian response efforts and mobilize resources to protect residents and infrastructure as the intense rainy season continues across the country.
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