Floods destroy homes and farms on north coast as the El Niño effect strengthens

The National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (Inamhi) said Friday that the heavy rains that began earlier in the week are a “sign of things to come” for coastal provinces. In a bulletin, Inamhi reported that Esmeraldas, Santo Domingo, Los Ríos, Manabí, Guayas and Orellana Provinces will experience “high levels of rain, intense storms with high winds” in the coming days.

A Muisne municipal employee examines flood damage Friday morning.

“The intensity of the storms is the effect of the very strong El Niño system and residents of the coastal and littoral region should be prepared for this pattern to continue through the end of the year and possibly into 2027,” Inamhi said.

On Wednesday and Thursday, flooding in communities in southern Esmeraldas Province inundated homes, destroyed crops and killed livestock. “We have lost almost everything in Las Delicias,” parish president Jenifer Viveros said. “Our homes and crops are under water and our animals have been killed.”

She estimated that almost 1,000 hectares of farmland are flooded in Las Delicias and nearby parishes.

On Friday, three rivers in the Muisne canton were above flood stage, with the Rio Sucio at a record level.

Inamhi rainfall forecast through September 29.

Cocoa is among the crops hardest hit by the floods, Viveros says. “Many of us depend entirely on cocoa for our living so this is devastating. It is the worst flooding we have experienced in years.”

The National Emergency Operations Committee said that many roads in Esmeraldas and northern Manabí Province remained under water Friday night, blocking access of emergency services.

Heavy rains were also reported at lower elevations of Azuay Province on Thursday and Friday.