Ecuador floods hit 21 provinces, 16,000 affected in Esmeraldas, Guayas, Manabí

Severe flooding, landslides, and strong winds have affected 21 provinces in Ecuador since late August, with Esmeraldas, Guayas, and Manabí the hardest hit, impacting over 16,000 people. The scale of the disaster and ongoing weather patterns suggest continued risk, though specific infrastructure damage and economic costs remain unclear. This underscores regional vulnerability to climate-related extreme weather in coastal Ecuador.