On February 23, Machala, a city in Ecuador, faced brutal flooding due to heavy rains that began the previous night. The water levels reached up to the knees of adults in several neighborhoods, rendering many streets impassable and delaying the commutes of local residents. Consequently, numerous individuals were forced to postpone their journeys to work or study, significantly affecting daily routines in the area. Schools and colleges opted to suspend in-person classes and introduced asynchronous tasks for students in response to the inconvenient flooding situation.

The National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI) had issued warnings about the potential for intense rainfall in the coastal region, which culminated in significant water accumulation in urban zones where existing drainage systems failed to cope with the volume. Heavy rain, over a short period, highlighted the vulnerability of local infrastructure to severe weather conditions. The essential service sector was also impacted, as movements of light vehicles were restricted, leading to broader consequences for the local economy and residents’ daily life.

In addition to Machala, nearby cantons like Pasaje and Santa Rosa also experienced overflowing rivers due to the continuous rains. These areas faced similar struggles with elevated water levels that disrupted normal operations. As emergency services assessed the damage and provided assistance, the situation depicted the urgent need for improved urban planning and disaster preparedness strategies to mitigate such occurrences in the future. The community's resilience will be tested as recovery efforts begin amidst ongoing weather challenges.