# Galapagos Islands flooding and school disruptions

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/galapagos-islands-flooding-and-school-disruptions
> Updated: 2026-11-09T22:59:54.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Heavy rains and flooding in the Santa Cruz canton of the Galapagos Islands, attributed to the El Niño phenomenon, led to an emergency declaration by the Cantonal Emergency Operations Committee. Following significant damage to homes and roads, the Ministry of Education suspended all in-person classes for public, municipal, and private schools on November 2, 2026, to ensure safety.

By November 10, 2026, authorities transitioned to a hybrid educational model. Approximately 61% of the local student population, or 2,669 students, were permitted to return to in-person classes if they could travel safely and their schools met necessary conditions. The remaining 39% of students continued their studies remotely. Certain institutions remained under evaluation to determine when they could safely host students.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-09: Santa Cruz students return to classrooms in hybrid model

Approximately 61% of students in Santa Cruz, Galápagos, will return to in-person classes under a hybrid model following El Niño-related flooding and infrastructure damage.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santa-cruz-students-return-to-classrooms-in-hybrid-model

### 2026-11-02: Santa Cruz schools suspend in-person classes due to Galapagos flooding

All schools in Santa Cruz, Galapagos, have suspended in-person classes due to emergency flooding that has damaged homes and roads. Students will transition to remote learning until conditions are safe.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santa-cruz-schools-suspend-in-person-classes-due-to-galapagos-flooding

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Cite as: Galapagos Islands flooding and school disruptions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/galapagos-islands-flooding-and-school-disruptions