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Guayaquil flood risk and El Niño preparedness

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2026-08-29 08:52 UTC → 2026-09-10 12:11 UTC · added removed

In mid-August 2026, Guayaquil and several coastal provinces in Ecuador, including Esmeraldas, Los Ríos, and Manabí, experienced heavy rainfall. In the Sergio Toral sector of Guayaquil, the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (Inamhi) recorded up to 35 mm of precipitation, far exceeding the typical August average of 2 to 3 mm. Inamhi attributed this to a change in wind circulation bringing moisture from western Colombia, noting these events were due to short-term meteorological conditions rather than El Niño. By late August, the focus shifted toward preparing for the 2026-2027 El Niño phenomenon, which has a 97% probability of occurrence. Guayaquil has identified 26 high-risk flooding sectors and 44 vulnerable points. The municipal government has planned $4.2 million for 19 drainage improvement projects and designated 29 temporary shelters. To mitigate risks from intense rainfall and rising sea levels, the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Guayaquil (BCBG) has integrated into the Cantonal Territorial Action Plan. Additionally, the Instituto Oceanográfico y Antártico de la Armada (INOCAR) has launched a research cruise in the Southeast Pacific to monitor ocean temperatures and currents currents. In early September 2026, the Guayaquil Municipality initiated an extensive cleaning operation of the city’s drainage system as part of its ‘Pre-Winter Plan 2026-2027’. Executed through EMAPAG EP and the concessionaire Interagua, the $2.2 million project involves cleaning 265 channels, ducts, and sewers, as well as approximately 30,000 sumps. The operation covers over 147 kilometers of storm infrastructure and aims to better predict remove more than 175,000 cubic meters of sediment, weeds, and debris. Specialized efforts include using professional divers and high-pressure pumps to clear solidified mud near the phenomenon. Metrovía Río Daule Terminal.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-10 12:11 UTC Guayaquil flood risk and El Niño preparedness
  2. 2026-08-29 08:52 UTC Guayaquil flood risk and El Niño preparedness

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