Heavy rains and thunderstorms alarmed residents in the Coast

Five hours of torrential rain in Los Rios

Five hours of torrential rain, accompanied by thunders and lightnings generated fear among the inhabitants of several towns in the province of Los Ríos.

Carlos Naranjo, manager of the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI for its Spanish acronym) said that heavy rains and thunderstorms on the coast are a normal process in the winter season.

These pouring rains generated major floods, producing warming which develop thunderstorms along the Coast and especially in the north, said the expert.

Among the most affected provinces are Guayas, Manabí and Los Rios. In Portoviejo (Manabí), the   namesake river, overflowed and caused flooding in homes whose occupants had to leave  until the water level decrease.

Naranjo said that rains will continue, but could stop this month. He also didn’t rule out the presence of rain in May.