Rainy Days
El Niņo brought warm water to the coast of South America, causing the countries there
to be especially affected by the phenomenon. Ecuador was hit especially hard by rain, just
like its neighbor Peru. All this rain leads to disasters such as floods and mudslides (see
below).
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Flooding
With all the rain pouring down on Ecuador because of El Niņo, there were many floods
and mudslides. Both were devastating, killing people through the power and surprise of the
flood or slide. More than ninety people died from floods alone, while another 22,000 were
evacuated. Between Ecuador and Peru, floods and mudslides have killed 200 people and left
tens of thousands more without homes.
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| Crops All
of the rain in Ecuador has washed out crops. The country loses out on exports because not
enough food is made, which makes them lose a lot of money. The cost of lost crops and
exports this year reached two hundred million dollars, which puts a big hole in the
pockets of the inhabitants of Ecuador.
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Dangerous Disease |
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| El Niņo brought lots of water that
is now a perfect home for diseases and epidemics that can be spread by mosquitoes and
bacteria in the stagnant floodwaters and destroyed towns. With high temperatures this year
because of El Niņo, the insect population increased to bring more ways to spread
diseases. One threatening disease is the bacteria leptospirosis, which thrives in stagnant
water. Due to El Niņo, this disease has spread to kill at least eight people and to
sicken at least eighteen others. Back to Top |
