El Niño-powered waves destroy beaches & buildings

Waves as high as two meters are battering Ecuador’s Pacific coast and meteorologists say it’s a sign of things to come as El Niño strengthens. Since early last week, beaches have been eroded and seawalls and houses have been destroyed in Guayas, Santa Elena and Manabí Provinces.

Part of Playa Delfin’s iconic dolphin monument and nearby structures have been destroyed by high waves.

In Guayas, officials say Playa Delfín has been “totally destroyed,” reduced to rocks, construction debris and plastic litter.

Ecuador’s Oceanographic and Antarctic Institute said wave heights have been increasing for two weeks, aggravated by a sea level that is 40 centimeters above normal. “Ocean water temperatures as a result of El Niño continue to rise,” the Institute said in bulletin. “When high wave action occurs at high tide, the results can be destructive to beaches and manmade structures.”

The National Risk Management Office reported that “multiple structures,” including houses and businesses have been destroyed or damaged since August 30. “We are evaluating the situation, but high waves continue in the affected areas, so damage continues to occur,” the office said Sunday.

At Playa Delfín, a 70-meter concrete dolphin statue has been partially destroyed by the waves as have a seawall and at least 10 nearby structures. “Our beach and our tourist icon have been destroyed,” an official of the Delfin commune told a Guayaquil radio reporter. “The beach is our life and our livelihood and now it is gone.” The official added that 40 to 50 houses face “imminent collapse.”

According to records kept by the Ministry of the Environment, 100 meters of beach has eroded at Delfin since 2021.

The prefect’s office in Manabí Province said Sunday that “destruction of historic proportions” had occurred in several locations north of Manta but did not provide details.