Six killed in Ecuador as heavy rains trigger landslide
Six killed in Ecuador as heavy rains trigger landslide
The Facts
After days of torrential rain, the central Ecuadorean city of Banos has declared a state of emergency on Sunday after at least six people were killed in landslides.
The National Secretariat for Risk Management initially reported 30 people missing, but later declared them all accounted for. Online videos and images showed mud and debris rushing down a hillside and obstructing a highway.
The Spin
The torrential rainfall experienced in Central and South America on Sunday, resulting in landslides, flooding, and rockfall, should not come as a surprise. Nevertheless, while every loss of life is, of course, a tragic event, it is important to note that scientists have been issuing warnings about this for many years. Climate change and El Nino are the primary catalysts for heat intensification, resulting in sea warming and a subsequent increase in land precipitation. These changes are likely to contribute
Ecuador's location along the Andean mountain range, prone to frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, renders it susceptible to landslides. Ecuador is especially vulnerable to flooding and landslides due to unplanned rapid urbanization, which often occurs on hillsides without regard for landslide risks. Climate change exacerbates the problem, making extreme weather events more frequent. To ensure that city expansions are safe, the government must take control of city planning.