Ecuador’s National Risk Management Secretariat (SNGR, in Spanish) maintains red alerts in six Andean and coastal provinces due to persistent heavy rainfall that has endangered community safety and infrastructure.

The provinces under red alert are Pichincha, Loja, and Carchi in the Andean region, along with Los Rios, Guayas, and Esmeraldas on the coast.

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The measure was officially enacted last Friday, February 20, when authorities announced the activation of permanent sessions to monitor the evolving situation and coordinate mitigation efforts. On Saturday, the SNGR confirmed that the alert level remains in effect amid persistent rains that could trigger river overflows, flooding, and landslides.

The National Meteorology Institute (INMET, in Spanish) has warned that rains could continue at least through Sunday, increasing demand for emergency resources and evacuation route planning.

The agency’s report indicates significant precipitation accumulations over short periods, raising the risk of overflows, flooding, and landslides. In this context, authorities reiterate the importance of following safety guidelines, avoiding travel near swollen rivers, and keeping communities informed through official channels.

Among the most notable incidents are river overflows that have affected cantons and parishes, as well as hillside landslides that have forced the activation of contingency plans and the deployment of rescue and humanitarian assistance teams.

In Chimborazo, the Alausi canton experienced a mudslide that forced the temporary closure of the Nariz del Diablo train, a nationally significant tourist attraction. The train, which had reopened in August after a period out of service, was halted again to ensure passenger and personnel safety.

Figures from Ecuador’s winter season—according to SNGR data—indicate that between January 1 and February 18, 2026, 732 adverse weather events associated with rainfall were recorded. These incidents affected 23 provinces, 149 cantons, and 392 parishes, underscoring the need for closer interinstitutional coordination and resilience policies that reduce community vulnerability to extreme weather events.

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