Ecuador declares 60-day state of emergency

Ecuador has declared a 60-day state of emergency in response to a severe drought and an increase in forest fires, according to a statement issued on Monday by the Secretariat for Risk Management (SNGR).

Risk Management Secretary Jorge Carrillo reported that the country is experiencing a drought that has persisted for nearly 120 days, described as the most severe in the past 60 years. The drought has significantly impacted hydroelectric production, prompting the government to implement daily 14-hour electricity cuts since October.

Authorities are currently working to contain 13 active forest fires, with nine others successfully extinguished. Approximately 10,200 hectares (25,204 acres) of land across two regions have been affected by these incidents, officials confirmed.