Two people died in Guayaquil as El Niño flooding hits Ecuador

Two people died in Guayaquil on November 13, 2026, due to heavy rains and flooding caused by the El Niño phenomenon. The fatalities occurred in the Letamendi and Pascuales sectors of the city. These deaths come as heavy rainfall continues to impact the region, marking the third episode of intense precipitation in Guayaquil in less than one month.

Casualties and missing persons

Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Roberto Luque expressed condolences to the families of the deceased in the Letamendi and Pascuales sectors. One victim was identified as a 17-year-old adolescent whose body was recovered by firefighters on November 14, 2026. The second victim was a taxi driver who reportedly died of a heart attack while trapped in his vehicle on the road to Daule, according to Álex Anchundia, the manager of Segur.

Search operations are currently underway for two other individuals who remain missing. A man and a child fell into a canal in a flooded area of Florida Norte. To assist in the search, twenty firefighters and drones have been deployed to the area to locate the missing persons.

Widespread flooding and infrastructure impact

The El Niño phenomenon has caused significant environmental changes, including the warming of Pacific Ocean surface waters which alters wind, pressure, and precipitation patterns. This phenomenon has resulted in severe flooding across multiple provinces. Three rivers and approximately ten tributaries across two coastal provinces have burst their banks due to the heavy rainfall.

In certain sectors of Guayaquil, water levels rose by more than one meter. This surge in water levels caused significant disruptions to local transport and power. The continuous heavy rains have placed immense pressure on the existing infrastructure in the coastal region.

National disaster statistics

The recent flooding in Guayaquil is part of a larger pattern of weather-related disasters affecting the country. According to government figures, 12 people have died in Ecuador since August 28, 2026. The same data indicates that nearly 27,000 people have been affected by various disasters across the nation since that date.

The recurring nature of these weather events highlights the ongoing impact of the El Niño phenomenon on the region. With three major rainfall episodes occurring in Guayaquil in less than thirty days, emergency services continue to manage the consequences of the rising water levels and the overflow of river systems.

Glossary

• El Niño phenomenon — The El Niño phenomenon is a phenomenon that causes environmental changes, such as the warming of Pacific Ocean surface waters. This process alters wind, pressure, and precipitation patterns.
• Letamendi — Miguel de Letamendi was a figure involved in the independence movement. He was one of the key figures of the independence of Guayaquil.
• Pascuales — Pascuales is an urban parish of Guayaquil. It was categorized as an urban parish in 1992 due to its proximity to the cantonal head.
• Daule — Daule is a location associated with a cavalry squadron. It is also mentioned in relation to a road.