Guayas authorities respond to flooding in Balao, Ecuador

Heavy rainfall in the Guayas province of Ecuador has triggered flooding in the Balao canton. Over a 48-hour period, the region recorded 207 millimeters of rain, a volume comparable to levels seen during the peak rainy season in March.

The Prefectura de Guayas has deployed machinery and technical personnel to four critical intervention points: San Carlos, 28 de Mayo, Las Madres, and Cien Familias. Efforts are focused on cleaning canals to mitigate flood damage. Additionally, the provincial government has begun distributing humanitarian aid, with the first of 400 kits containing non-perishable food being delivered to families in the Cien Familias sector.

To prevent further damage, high-capacity pumps have been moved to vulnerable areas in Milagro, Salitre, and Juján. Authorities are maintaining constant surveillance in several other locations, including Naranjal, Simón Bolívar, and Samborondón. The provincial government has allocated $53 million for preparation and response to the El Niño phenomenon, noting that over 223,000 residents and significant agricultural land remain at risk of flooding.