QUITO, Ecuador: Ecuador declared a nationwide El Niño emergency on Saturday, issuing a red alert as authorities prepare for drought, wildfires and other potentially severe weather impacts.
The Ministry of Risk Management said the alert applies nationwide and activates emergency committees responsible for coordinating preventive evacuations and other response measures.
Authorities are also preparing for drought and wildfires in Ecuador’s eastern Amazon region.
El Niño develops when surface waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean become unusually warm. The phenomenon can alter wind patterns, atmospheric pressure and rainfall, disrupting weather systems as well as fishing and bird migration.
Scientists expect the current El Niño episode to peak by the end of the year and potentially contribute to record global heat in 2027.
Other Latin American countries have already introduced emergency measures. Panama, Honduras and El Salvador have declared emergencies, while Peru has placed about one-third of its cities under a state of emergency over expected heat and heavy rainfall.
Read: El Niño Hunger Risk Could Hit 49 Million More: WFP
El Niño is worsening severe drought conditions in Central America and contributing to wildfire conditions in Indonesia.
