Heavy weather shifts to the coast and could cause traffic problems during the long Carnaval weekend

The National Emergency Operations Council (COE) declared a weather emergency in six coastal provinces Monday, as the weather service predicts more rain through the first part of Carnaval weekend. Azuay and Loja Provinces were also included in the emergency due to road and highway damage suffered earlier from heavy rains.

Motorists in Guayaquil navigate flooded streets early Monday.

On Sunday, Guayaquil and Manta suffered the fourth consecutive day of flooding, as did many smaller communities on the coast. “Guayas, Los Ríos, El Oro, Manabí and Esmeraldas will continue to experience high intensity rainfall, causing flooding and landslides in some areas,” the National Institute of Meteorology reported Monday. “Rain showers of a much as eight hours in duration are possible.”

The meteorological institute (Inamhi) cautioned drivers to avoid flooded roadways and warned of foggy and muddy conditions on coastal roads.

Inamhi added that the heaviest rainfall has shifted from the Amazon and inter-mountain regions in the past two weeks to coastal and littoral areas. “The inter-Andean valley will continue to see rainfall but of generally less intensity than in early February,” it reported.

In Cuenca and Azuay Province, roads continue to be affected by landslides, with damage to the Cuenca-Girón-Machala and Cuenca-Molleturo-Guayaquil highways still under repair. One lane access was open on both highways late Monday. The Transportation Ministry has promised that the Cuenca-Girón-Machala route will be fully operational by Friday.

In Loja Province, work continues to clear roadways in three locations, the ministry says.

In issuing its emergency, the COE said additional “economic resources and logistical support” have been authorized in the affected provinces. “The Ministry of Defense will provide personnel to emergency projects and the Ministry of Economy and Finance will activate credit lines to cover costs of the response,” it said in a statement.

On Sunday, military units assisted in the evacuation of residents in two Guayaquil neighborhoods as well as in Portoviejo and other flooded areas of Manabí Province.