The disaster comes after the worst flooding to hit Ecuador in nearly two decades triggered a lethal landslide on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano.

According to weather experts, the amount of rain that falls on the mountain was almost 40 times as much as forecast.

“Technical personnel and heavy equipment, from Metropolitan Public Company of Potable Water and Sanitation of Quito (EPMAPS) and Metropolitan Public Mobility and Public Works Company (EPMMOP), are in the affected areas, carrying out search, rescue and debris removal tasks,” Quito Mayor Santiago Guarderas said on Twitter.

Nos mantenemos coordinando las tareas de emergencia por el aluvión ocurrido hoy, con el COE Metropolitano.

Personal técnico y equipo pesado, de EPMAPS y EPMMOP, están en las zonas afectadas, realizando labores de búsqueda, rescate y desalojo de escombros.

— Santiago Guarderas (@santiguarderas) February 1, 2022

Ecuadorian authorities are also planning to send the army to help in a search and rescue operation, local sources said. (ILKHA)