MAJOR Alluvial Floods Hit Quito, Ecuador - Jan. 31, 2022 aluvión en Quito

Massive flooding in Ecuador’s capital and a resulting landslide have killed at least 18 people, according to authorities in Quito.The floods on Monday were caused by heavy rains on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, which overlooks the city.Local authorities said in a statement that 75 litres of rain per square metre fell in the La Gasca sector, the highest since 2003. Weather forecasts had predicted just 2 litres per square metre.A video posted online by local emergency services showed a deluge of mud, water and rocks sweep down an avenue in the city, washing away cars as it flooded houses and streets. Parts of Quito were also left without power after electrical poles were brought down by the deluge.The government’s emergency agency said at least three homes were destroyed and that neighbours had joined rescue workers in hunting through the ruins for survivors.The rescue agency initially reported 14 known deaths, but the Metropolitan district police commander, Cesar Zapata, later told Ecuavisa television that four more victims had been found.Sixteen people have been reported missing and 46 injured, six of them critically, Ecuador’s SNGRE emergency service said on Twitter.

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