Floods and landslides across Ecuador kill 11 and damage thousands of homes
Flooding and landslides in Ecuador have affected more than 46 000 people across the country since January 1, 2026, leaving 11 people dead and 24 injured, according to the latest update issued on March 13. Authorities report widespread impacts, including hundreds of flood and landslide events, overflowing rivers, and extensive damage to housing and infrastructure across multiple provinces.
This data visualisation based on CEMS data shows the evolution of flooded areas between February 24 and March 2, 2026 in blue tones. Credit: Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMSR 870)
Heavy rainfall associated with Ecuador’s 2026 rainy season has triggered widespread flooding and landslides across the country since January 1, affecting numerous provinces and causing significant humanitarian impacts.
According to the Ecuadorian Secretariat for Risk Management (SNGR), as of March 12, 11 people have died, and 24 others have been injured, while more than 46 000 people have been affected by rainfall-related disasters nationwide.
Authorities report that more than 80 houses have been destroyed and 13 508 dwellings have suffered damage as floods and landslides impacted communities across multiple regions of the country.
Since the beginning of the year, authorities have recorded 629 flood events and 612 landslides. As of March 12, 28 rivers are already overflowing, and another 34 rivers are at risk of overflowing, increasing the risk of additional flooding.
The provinces most severely affected include Guayas, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Los Ríos, and Manabí.
On March 11, the Copernicus Emergency Management Service activated rapid mapping under EMSR 870 to estimate flood extent and assess damage. Six maps had been published as of the latest update.
Meteorological guidance from the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology of Ecuador (INAMHI) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center (NOAA-CPC) indicates that moderate to locally heavy rainfall is forecast across most parts of the country over the next 24 hours.
Continued rainfall may increase the risk of further flooding and landslides in areas where soils remain saturated, and river levels remain elevated.
References:
1 Ecuador – Severe weather, update – European Commission – March 13, 2026
I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.
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