Ecuador: Disruptions ongoing across Esmeraldas, Guayas, and Manabi provinces due to flooding as of late Feb. 19

Heavy rainfall since Feb. 17 has resulted in flooding across the country. The worst affected areas are Esmeraldas, Guayas, and Manabi provinces. Authorities have confirmed one fatality in ​​Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas Province after a vehicle fell into a sinkhole on the La Concordia-Monterrey-Las Villegas Highway.

Guayaquil City and around 12 neighborhoods in General Villamil (Playas) Canton in Guayas Province experienced notable flooding. The Arenas River overflowed, flooding the surrounding areas. Chone, Flavio Alfaro, Jama, and Puerto Lopez cantons in Manabi Province also experienced floods due to overflowing rivers. Due to floodwaters, authorities evacuated 30 families in Convento Parish, Chone Canton.

Ecuador's National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI) has issued a weather warning for rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds across the western and central parts of the country through Feb. 21. The most intense rainfall of more than 9.5 cm (4 inches) is forecast in Guayas and Los Rios provinces, where red warnings (the highest level on a three-tier scale) are in place. Rainfall of varying intensity with occasional heavy downpours is likely in the rest of western and central Ecuador. Further rainfall is likely to exacerbate the current situation and hamper recovery efforts.

Additional sustained heavy rainfall could trigger further flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rain has saturated the soil.

Authorities could issue mandatory evacuation orders for flood-prone communities over the coming days. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.

Floodwaters and debris flows will likely render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces will cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities will probably temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters.

Severe weather will likely trigger flight delays and cancellations at airports in affected regions. Authorities will probably temporarily suspend port operations or close beach fronts along the Bay of Bengal coast if strong winds trigger hazardous sea conditions. Flooding will likely block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are likely in areas with heavy rainfall and potential track inundation.

Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.

Flooding could heighten the threat of disease outbreaks. Backflow from drains mixed with floodwaters can become trapped in open areas when inundations recede. These stagnant pools often become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and bacteria, increasing the incidence of insect- and water-borne diseases. Exposure to contaminated water from inundated industrial sites, sewer systems, and septic tanks also poses a significant health threat.