On March 9, heavy rains in the high basin resulted in the overflowing of the Salvias River in Zaruma, located in the province of El Oro, Ecuador. This natural disaster has caused significant damage, affecting at least ten families and flooding approximately ten homes, impacting around 40 individuals. The severity of the situation was highlighted through social media videos showing citizens in distress as the river overflowed and threatened to inundate streets.

In addition to the flooding of homes, the overflowing river also caused the collapse of a local bridge, raising concerns about transportation and accessibility in the affected area. The General Secretariat of Risk Management confirmed the number of affected families and is actively monitoring the situation, coordinating technical inspections to assess the damages and initiate necessary recovery efforts. As a precautionary measure, evacuations were carried out, with affected families moving to the parish coliseum of Salvias for safety.

These events come amidst a worrying trend of increased rainfall and its impact on communities throughout Ecuador, where natural disasters like landslides and floods have become recurring challenges. The government is expected to respond with aid and measures to prevent future incidents, but the immediate focus remains on supporting those affected and ensuring their safety in the wake of this disaster.