Floods and landslides leave 15 dead and damage over 28 000 homes in Ecuador
Floods and landslides triggered by persistent heavy rainfall have left 15 people dead and affected 110 875 others across Ecuador as of April 15, 2026, according to Ecuador’s National Secretariat for Risk Management (SNGR). Authorities reported widespread housing and infrastructure damage in multiple provinces.
Image credit: Presidencia de Ecuador
Floods and landslides triggered by persistent heavy rainfall have left 15 people dead and affected 110 875 others across Ecuador since the start of the rainy season in January 2026, according to Ecuador’s National Secretariat for Risk Management (SNGR). Authorities reported widespread damage to homes, bridges, and transport infrastructure as rainfall continued to affect most of the country.
SNGR has recorded 2 308 weather-related adverse events across all 24 provinces, affecting 196 cantons and 698 parishes. Flooding and landslides accounted for most incidents, with 877 floods and 825 landslides reported nationwide.
The provinces with the highest number of affected people remain Guayas, Los Ríos, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Manabí, Loja, Santa Elena, and Chimborazo, where repeated rainfall episodes have caused river overflows, flash flooding, and slope failures.
SNGR reported that 245 houses were destroyed and 28 633 were damaged. 61 km (38 miles) of roads were damaged, and a total of 41 bridges were affected, including 33 destroyed, disrupting road access and transport links in several affected areas.
The latest figures show a clear increase in cumulative impacts compared with late March, when authorities reported 82 941 affected people, 137 destroyed houses, 20 685 damaged homes, and 32 destroyed bridges.
Coastal and western provinces remain the most exposed because prolonged rainfall since January has increased soil saturation, reduced slope stability, and raised the likelihood of renewed flooding in low-lying communities and river basins.
Ecuador’s National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI) forecast further moderate to heavy rainfall, with localized thunderstorms, across most of the country through the next 48 hours. The forecast maintains a high likelihood of additional localized flooding, river rises, and landslides, especially in areas that have already experienced repeated impacts.
References:
1 Afectaciones por lluvias en el Ecuador – SNGR – April 14, 2026
2 Ecuador – Severe weather, floods and landslides – DG ECHO – April 15, 2026
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules.