Ecuador: Floods - Jan 2026

On 27 February, authorities declared a 90-day regional state of emergency across five coastal provinces - Guayas, Esmeraldas, Los Ríos, El Oro and Santa Elena - as heavy rains have continued to intensify. As of 26 February, authorities now report more than 1,079 adverse rain-related incidents across 24 provinces, affecting more than 19,335 people and displacing a further 1,314. In the hardest hit areas, flooding and landslides have damaged schools, roads and bridges, affected crops and livestock and are disrupting access to essential services, deepening vulnerabilities and humanitarian needs. (OCHA, 27 Feb 2026)

The rainy season, which started on 1 January, has been affecting several parts of Ecuador, triggering 441 landslides, causing about 400 flood events, and resulting in casualties and damage. According to the national authorities, as of 1 March at least three people have died (one each in Chimborazo, Azuay and Cotopaxi provinces) while 14 others were injured and more than 21 000 people were affected across 24 provinces. The hardest‑hit province is Guayas, with over 10 000 people affected, followed by Esmeraldas (3 102) and El Oro (more than 2 300). In total, more than 5 400 houses have been impacted, of which 57 were destroyed. Authorities are monitoring the situation daily and have declared a regional emergency for the provinces of Guayas, Esmeraldas, El Oro, Los Ríos, Manabí, Santa Elena, Loja and Chimborazo. (ECHO, 2 Mar 2026)