Attachments
A. SITUATION ANALYSIS
B. Description of the crisis: The Esmeraldas Province
On March 13, landslides damaged the Trans-Ecuadorian Oil Pipeline System (SOTE), causing the spill of 25,116.95 barrels of crude oil and contaminating 82 km of rivers and estuaries. A total of 31,795.81 m³ of oily waste has been recovered. Additionally, Esmeraldas has been heavily affected by the rains. As part of the overall emergency, 17,906 people were affected and reported damages included 312 hectares of agricultural land, 9 beaches, 8 tourism establishments, and 378 affected animals. Although there is progress in the response, the situation is still dire.
On April 25 at 06:44, a 6.1 MLv magnitude earthquake was recorded 8.4 km from Esmeraldas, at a depth of 28 km, affecting the cantons of Esmeraldas, Eloy Alfaro, Atacames, Muisne, Quinindé, Rioverde, and San Lorenzo. As of April 26, a total of 2,810 people were reported affected, including 49 injured, and 222 without homes across five main cantons. Damage was reported to 994 houses, 3 educational institutions, 7 health centres, 2 bridges, and 38 public assets, including significant damage in the city of Esmeraldas.
The map on the left, produced by the Ecuadorian Red Cross Situation Room, shows an estimate of the impact: the red circle indicates an area within 0 to 10 km of the epicentre, where severe damage to weak structures, falling objects, and minor damage have been observed. The orange circle covers 10 to 30 km, with moderate damage reported. Although the depth and proximity to the epicentre caused notable material damage, no major human losses have been reported so far. Impact assessments will continue over the coming days.
Description of the crisis: Rains in the littoral area
From January 1, 2025, to date, Ecuador’s National Risk and Emergency Management Service (SNGR) 2,970 adverse events related to rainfall have been recorded, affecting 24 provinces, 207 cantons, and 788 parishes. The most frequent events have been landslides (41.18%), floods (37.21%), structural collapses, washouts, strong winds, and mudslides. The provinces most impacted are Manabí, Los Ríos, Guayas, El Oro, Esmeraldas, and Loja. By resolution of the SNGR, a Red Alert was declared in six coastal provinces. The regional emergency was renewed and extended to new areas such as Pichincha, Bolívar, and Chimborazo. The state road network was also declared in emergency in Guayas, Manabí, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Santa Elena, Loja, and Azuay. Currently, 15 provincial COEs, 113 cantonal COEs, and 33 parish COEs remain active. In the last week of April, heavy rains caused new floods in areas of Manabí and Esmeraldas (Teaone River). Meteorological Bulletin No. 25 from the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI) warns that heavy rains will continue in the coastal and Amazon regions.
Parishes Affected by Flooding in Daule-Peripa Reservoir
The Daule-Peripa reservoir, with an approximate area of 270 km², supplies water to large agricultural areas in the provinces of Guayas, Manabí, and Los Ríos. During April 2025, heavy rains in the coastal region caused rising reservoir levels and overflows along the Daule River, particularly affecting the cantons of Balzar, Colimes, Palestina, Santa Lucía, and Daule. So far, the most impacted parishes include Pueblo Nuevo, El Rosario, Limonal, and Mocache, among others.
Currently, national authorities, based on meteorological bulletins from INAMHI, warn that highintensity rains will continue to affect coastal areas in the coming days. This increases the risk of new floods in areas adjacent to the reservoir and along the Daule River.
The National Risk Management Secretariat (SNGR) maintains the red alert for Guayas, Los Ríos, and Manabí, prioritizing continuous monitoring, preventive evacuations, and activation of cantonal COEs in anticipation of possible future flooding and overflows.