Two deaths, several homes destroyed and damage to public property have been left by the strong waves recorded on the coasts of Ecuador since last Friday. According to the authorities, the maritime phenomenon, which mainly affects the provinces of Manabi y The Goldis expected to decrease progressively starting this Monday, improving towards the New Year’s holiday weekend.
The owner of the National Secretariat for Risk Management (Sngre), Jorge Carrilloreported in a press conference that they have registered once events related to waves in the provinces of Saint Helena y Emeraldsin addition to the already mentioned Manabí and El Oro.
The strong waves, with waves that have exceeded 2 meters highhas left a balance of two people deceasedboth in the province of Manabí. Likewise, it has directly affected 38 familieswhich add up to a total of 131 personasand has caused damage to 38 homesof which 2 were completely destroyed.
In addition, damage was reported in 14 public goodsincluding five structures destroyedlike a section of the fishing port of Jaramijoin Manabí.
Carrillo asked the population to respect the caution alerts issued, which are in force on several beaches through the use of red and yellow flags, indicating access restrictions for safety reasons.
According to him Navy Oceanographic and Antarctic Institute (Inocar)the phenomenon, known as “Swell”is an event characterized by long-period and continuous waves, generated by distant storms in the Pacific Ocean. This type of waves is usually recorded in the region between May and January of each year and affects several countries on the Pacific coast, such as Chile, Peru y Ecuador.
The Inocar warned that the waves could reach up to 2.1 meters high this Sunday in the most impacted areas. However, projections indicate that the maritime phenomenon will begin to gradually decrease starting this Monday, which could bring relief to both the affected communities and the tourism sector.
The head of the Sngre highlighted that coastal tourism, an important economic pillar during the festivities, is preparing to receive tens of thousands of visitors between January 1 and 5. In this context, authorities closely monitor the evolution of the waves to guarantee the safety of tourists and residents.
Emergency teams continue to work in the affected areas to assess damage and coordinate necessary assistance, while maritime monitoring agencies monitor possible changes in ocean conditions.
He intense waves on the Pacific coasts of South America has resulted in the death of a person in Chile this Sunday, which adds to two deaths in Ecuador and more than a hundred closed ports in Peru, the authorities reported.
According to the Chilean Navy, which reported “some damage” to smaller vessels, the victim is a 30 year old man that entered Playa Tres Islas, in the northern city of Iquique, which is not suitable for bathing and that has an abnormal storm surge warning in effect until December 31.
“After performing resuscitation maneuvers without positive results, the person was declared dead.”” on the shore, Camilo Aránguiz, Head of the Maritime Meteorological Center of the Navy in the city of Iquique, reported in a video.
In Peru, 101 of the country’s total of 121 ports have been closed, in which “practically all fishing and recreational activities in the maritime environment” were restricted, Captain Enrique Varea Loayza, head of the department of Oceanography of the Peruvian Navy.
The Peruvian official commented that this condition “will continue in the coming days.” Wave heights of up to four meters were recorded over the weekend.
It is expected that on December 30 the waves will be moderate and from the 31st to the first days of January it will be light.
(With information from EFE and AFP)
