The intense rains in Ecuador left 7 dead and caused havoc in several provinces

The intense rains that hit Ecuador between June 14 and 16 caused serious damage in several provinces of the country, especially in the Sierra and the Amazon. According to a report from the National Secretariat for Risk and Emergency Management, the storm left seven people dead and 22 injured. In addition, 126 people have been affected and significant damage has been reported in 13 homes.

Ecuadorian authorities continue to monitor the situation and work on the recovery of affected areas. The Ministry of Transportation and Public Works, in coordination with the National Secretariat for Risk and Emergency Management, has deployed teams of heavy machinery to clear the roads and restore connectivity in the affected areas. The priority is to guarantee the safety of residents and provide assistance to affected communities.

The National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (Inamhi) has indicated that rains of varying intensity affected a large part of the country during the morning of June 16, although it was announced that the rainfall could dissipate soon.

In the province of Tungurahua, located 158 kilometers from Quito, a landslide on the Baños-Puyo road, specifically in the Caserío El Placer sector, resulted in the death of six people. Additionally, six people were injured and at least 30 are missing. The disappearance of these people occurred when an interprovincial bus from the San Francisco cooperative was swept away by a landslide in the Quilloturo sector. The search for the missing continues with the support of rescue teams.

On the other hand, in the province of Chimborazo, 220 kilometers from Quito, floods were recorded in the cantons of Chambo and Penipe. The rains caused the Chambo River to overflow, forcing the closure of the road that connects the towns of Penipe and Baños de Agua Santa, a popular tourist destination. As a precautionary measure, some 55 people from the communities of Guzo and Penipe were evacuated, according to the EFE agency. An alert was also issued due to the flooding of the Puela River, generating concern in the communities of Palitahua and Penipe. The situation was even more complicated due to the presence of snow on the road that connects Riobamba and Guaranda, preventing vehicular circulation in the area. In addition, the closure of the Cuenca-Girón highway in the province of Azuay and the Guarumales-Méndez road, which connects this jurisdiction with Morona Santiago, was reported, according to the agency.

In the Amazon, specifically in the province of Morona Santiago, located 360 kilometers from Quito, the road that connects Macas with Riobamba was closed due to an avalanche in the Suñac sector. Likewise, the highway between Macas and Puyo was closed due to the overflowing of the Upano River in the area where an alternate crossing had been built between Seville and Seipa.

The rainfall also caused the Pisque River to overflow near Quito, in the province of Pichincha. Although no trapped people have been reported, authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent possible additional risks. Likewise, in Cayambe, the Guachalá River overflowed, affecting 50 meters of road, 5 light poles and a tourist area.

Heavy rainfall in Ecuador during this time of year is common as the country has a rainy season that generally runs from October to May. In Ecuador there are only two seasons of the year: the rainy season and the dry season. Due to its geographical location, the country does not have four seasons like other places in the world.

Although the rainy season in Ecuador usually ends in May, rainfall can extend into June. During these months, precipitation is more frequent and intense due to the convergence of humid winds from the Pacific Ocean and the Amazon. In addition, the El Niño phenomenon, characterized by the anomalous warming of the waters of the equatorial Pacific Ocean, alters normal weather patterns and causes a significant increase in rainfall on the coast and other regions of the country. On the other hand, the La Niña phenomenon, which is characterized by the cooling of the waters of the equatorial Pacific, can increase rainfall in the Sierra and Amazonia due to the intensification of the trade winds and the greater humidity transported from the Amazon.Infobae .

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