Guayaquil prepares for El Niño with flood risk mapping and emergency response

Guayaquil is activating emergency response protocols and infrastructure improvements to prepare for the potential impact of the 2026-2027 El Niño phenomenon. With a 97% probability of occurrence, the city has identified 26 sectors at high risk of flooding and 44 specific vulnerable points.

The municipal government has planned $4.2 million in investments for 19 drainage improvement projects and has designated 29 spaces as temporary shelters for evacuations. The threat includes both intense rainfall and rising sea levels, which have already increased by up to 40 centimeters, potentially complicating water drainage during high tides.

To support these efforts, the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Guayaquil (BCBG) is integrated into the Cantonal Territorial Action Plan, providing specialized search, rescue, and medical emergency services. Additionally, the Instituto Oceanográfico y Antártico de la Armada (INOCAR) has launched a regional research cruise in the Southeast Pacific to monitor ocean temperatures, salinity, and currents to better predict the phenomenon's behavior.