Mayor Santiago Guarderas declared state of emergency in the sectors of La Gasca and La Comuna that were devastated by the alluvium of January 31. The decision was made on the afternoon of Friday, February 4, during the extraordinary session of the Metropolitan Council, the Municipality reported.
Guarderas commented that the emergency “has caused a lot of pain to the city and the country.” And he asked the councilors for a minute of silence before starting the session, in honor of the victims of the natural disaster, as well as the death of Isabel Robalino.
The Council met to hear the Actions that have been carried out by municipal entities in the disaster area, as well as the measures that will be implemented later. In session it was highlighted that national, provincial and other municipal institutions, private companies, foundations and volunteers have also participated in the rescue and cleaning tasks.
The Secretary of Security, Daniela Valarezo, released the figures of the latest report on the situation. Until now counted: 28 deceased; 53 people injured (2 deceased in hospital); 2 disappeared and 141 families (504 people) affected; 27 uninhabitable dwellings on the first floor, 7 collapsed; 14 enclosures affected and 18,753 cubic meters of mud removed.
What’s more, 2,500 workers (police, firefighters, paramedics, technicians, workers, among others) have intervened at the scene.
As the main activities carried out, the official highlighted, among other aspects, the search and rescue of people, transfer of the deceased, care for the injured and victims, the delivery of 2,742 humanitarian aid kits, removal and cleaning of debris, as well as the request for activation of emergency funds to the Metropolitan Security Company.
Valarezo indicated that the alluvium originated in the Guanga Huayco ravine, affected a specific area of the Belisario Quevedo parish, in the north of Quito, causing loss of life and considerable material damage. This was the product of heavy rainfall with record levels of water accumulation, according to reports from the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (Inamhi).
Likewise, the Secretary of Security announced that the Metropolitan Public Logistics Company for Citizen Security and Coexistence (Emseguridad) will prepare and execute the Recovery Plan for the area.
Another official accountable to the Metropolitan Council was the Secretary for Inclusion, Fernando Sánchez. He said two were enabled temporary shelters in the “Y” sector, and in the Eloy Alfaro Zone. Ten brigades were in charge of donations and providing comprehensive health care. In addition, kits were delivered to the affected families.
From the Potable Water and Sanitation Company (EPMAPS), the general manager, Othón Zevallos, indicated that the entity performs maintenance twice a year on 135 existing intake structures throughout the District.
In the case of broken the roof, that overflowed due to the rains on Monday, the last inspections were carried out on September 22 and December 14, 2021, Zevallos explained.
Regarding the tragic event, the manager pointed out that it is estimated that the volume of material carried by the ravine was greater than 20 or 30 milliliters. In addition, he stated that in an overflight evidence of deforestation was discovered in the El Tejado account. Of the interventions carried out so far, he said that the catchment tower of this ravine has been freed.
Among the actions to be taken in the future, Zevallos pointed out that he thinks install new metallic structures in the ravines, which are manufactured in Europe, to contain the passage of rocks, sticks and debris. In addition, expansion of reservoirs and reservoirs is being considered. And an early warning system with sirens and improve the forecast system with INAMHI. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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