8 Ecuadorian provinces declare emergency amid heavy rains

Eight provinces of Ecuador declared a state of regional emergency for 90 days amid impact of heavy rains, the country's National Secretariat of Risk Management (SNGR) said Friday.



The emergency state applies to Guayas, Esmeraldas, Los Rios, El Oro, Santa Elena and Manabi in the coastal area, Loja in the south and Chimborazo in the center, the SNGR said in a press release.



The decision was adopted by the National Emergency Operations Committee "due to the level of impact on the population, the road network, infrastructure and livelihoods," said the release.