Heavy rains attributed in part to the developing El Niño weather pattern have caused floods, landslides, and river overflows across several provinces in Ecuador, officials reported Monday. The National Secretariat for Risk Management (SNGR) confirmed that intense downpours beginning Sunday night and continuing into Monday led to multiple flooding incidents mainly affecting the coastal provinces of El Oro, Los Rios, and Guayas, as well as the Andean province of Bolivar.

SNGR head Carolina Lozano detailed that authorities recorded at least 11 significant incidents, including eight floods and four cases of river overflow concentrated in Los Rios, Guayas, and El Oro. Emergency response teams have been mobilized to coordinate relief operations and provide humanitarian aid to affected communities.

In Guayaquil, the capital city of Guayas province and Ecuador’s largest urban center, local media reported that approximately 50 neighborhoods experienced flooding. The rural parish of Tenguel was among the worst impacted areas, where a nearby river overflowed and inundated residential homes.

The recent rains reflect patterns consistent with the emerging El Niño phenomenon, which is known for disrupting normal weather conditions across the region. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as they work to mitigate further risks from continued heavy precipitation and unstable terrain.