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El Niño causes one death and affects over 2,000 people in the Galápagos
Heavy rain linked to El Niño triggered a mudslide and flooding on Santa Cruz island in the Galápagos, killing one person and affecting more than 2,000, according to the mayor. The disaster struck at night, leaving residents without warning and prompting firefighters, Red Cross workers and local volunteers to wake people and help them escape.
Floodwater reportedly reached three metres in the La Cascada and La Unión neighbourhoods, where some families fled by swimming or used ropes to keep children, older people and pets together. Many sought shelter at a sports complex; a local foundation has identified at least 500 affected people missing from the official count and is helping provide meals to about 1,200. Residents have also organised clean-up and animal-care efforts, while authorities said no giant tortoises or wild birds had been reported dead.
In short
- El Niño-linked flooding killed one person on Santa Cruz.
- More than 2,000 people were affected.
- Island residents organised food, shelter and clean-up support.
Explained simply
The Galápagos Islands are an Ecuadorian archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, best known for their unusual wildlife. Santa Cruz is one of the inhabited islands, and its communities include neighbourhoods such as La Cascada and La Unión.
El Niño is a recurring warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean that can alter weather patterns, including rainfall in some regions. Heavy rain can cause rivers and drainage channels to overflow and make slopes more prone to landslides.
Local authorities, emergency responders and community groups all play a part in helping residents during disasters. The islands’ isolated location can make access and recovery more difficult, while protecting homes, people and wildlife is important to the communities that live there.