Severe rains in Azuay trigger floods, landslides, and reservoir risks, forcing evacuations and emergency responses across multiple cantons.
Heavy rains have triggered widespread destruction in Azuay, with the cantons of Cuenca, Girón, and San Fernando bearing the brunt of flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. A precarious situation has developed in Cuenca, where rising river levels and a deteriorating water reservoir have put residents on high alert. Authorities are scrambling to contain the damage, evacuate vulnerable families, and prevent further catastrophe.
Rivers Swell and Homes Evacuated in Cuenca
Cuenca’s four rivers surged dangerously following relentless rainfall, prompting authorities to issue flood warnings, particularly for the Yanuncay and Machángara rivers. Emergency officials have urged residents to stay clear of riverbanks as water levels approach critical thresholds.
Late Monday night, three families were evacuated from a deteriorating home in Cuenca’s historic center. Firefighters assessed the structure—a mix of adobe and wood—determining it was at risk of collapse due to water saturation. The 20 residents were forced to leave, as emergency crews monitored conditions closely.
Meanwhile, Victoria del Portete, a rural parish in Cuenca, faces a looming crisis as one of its private water reservoirs has already collapsed, threatening to trigger a second, larger failure. The reservoir in question, situated on a farm called La Rosa, suffered a structural breach that sent torrents of water onto the Cuenca-Girón highway. While no casualties have been reported, four additional homes were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Local authorities fear the worst, as a second reservoir, holding over 30,000 cubic meters of water, is now at risk of collapse. Such an event could flood lower-lying areas and displace more residents. The Victoria del Portete Emergency Operations Committee (COE) has called for evacuations, while technicians are attempting to mitigate the risk by installing a siphon system to drain water in a controlled manner.
San Fernando and Girón Face Severe Flooding and Landslides
The crisis extends beyond Cuenca. In San Fernando, heavy rains triggered a massive landslide, damaging nine houses and cutting off a major road. The slide forced the evacuation of 47 residents, who were moved to temporary shelters as authorities assessed the extent of the damage. Firefighters and emergency crews continue to clear debris and stabilize the area.
Girón’s San Gerardo parish was similarly affected, with a house, warehouse, and a guinea pig farm inundated by floodwaters. Streams in the Caledoneas area overflowed, sending mud and debris into a school and church. The situation worsened with additional landslides reported in San Gerardo, while in San Martín Chico, three homes were completely buried under earth and rubble.
Heavy machinery has been deployed to clear roadways and recover buried structures, though officials warn that ongoing rain could exacerbate the instability of hillsides.
Emergency Response Efforts Underway
Faced with mounting devastation, authorities at local and provincial levels are working to address the immediate threats. Risk management teams have deployed to affected areas, evaluating infrastructure vulnerabilities and assisting displaced residents.
Key measures implemented so far include:
- Evacuations of residents in high-risk zones, including Cuenca’s historic center, Victoria del Portete, San Fernando, and Girón.
- Deployment of heavy machinery to clear landslides and restore access to cut-off communities.
- Installation of a siphon system to release pressure from the endangered reservoir in Victoria del Portete.
- Establishment of temporary shelters, including a converted agricultural center in Victoria del Portete.
- Ongoing assessments of river conditions and structural integrity of compromised buildings.
While emergency crews work to stabilize the situation, the ongoing downpours continue to threaten Azuay’s most vulnerable communities. Authorities urge residents to remain vigilant, adhere to evacuation orders, and prepare for potential worsening conditions.
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