State of Emergency declared in central Ecuador after series of landslides

Heavy rainfall in the central Ecuadorian province of Chimborazo over the weekend, between April 20 and April 21, caused widespread destruction and prompted a state of emergency in the Alausi region.

Furthermore, the heavy rainfall caused 67 emergencies to be reported across the region, 31 of which were due to landslides.

In addition to this, a creek in the south of the province overflowed and caused the washing out of several roads in the area, as well as isolating a village.

55 families were affected by the landslides, while 11 homes along with many more bridges and buildings in the area were destroyed.

Footage has emerged showing people being helped across a river by the country’s Armed Forces.

Finally, the national secretary of risks, Jorge Carrillo, stated on Monday that emergency crews were restoring affected routes and distributing humanitarian aid.