Monjas after the landslide: what happened, which roads remain under watch and how to act if more rain comes

A landslide on October 11 in the Monjas area affected Mariano Hinojosa street and the connection to the General Rumiñahui highway. The Quito Municipality reported no injuries and no confirmed structural damage, but one family was evacuated as a precaution and nearby homes were placed under inspection.

The emergency and the initial response

According to the municipal report, the earth movement occurred around 15:30 on Sunday. Mobility, public works, security and fire crews worked with dump trucks, backhoes and skid-steer loaders. By nightfall 184 cubic meters of material had been removed.

The work did not end with the partial reopening of traffic. Technicians asked for an assessment of the slope, the rainwater and wastewater discharges, the trees and the condition of nearby houses. The goal is to distinguish between immediate cleanup and the stabilization needed to reduce the risk of another slide.

What is confirmed and what is still being assessed

• Confirmed: road disruption, removal of material and the precautionary evacuation of one family.
• Not reported: injuries or confirmed structural damage to homes.
• Technical review pending: slope stability, safety of nearby houses and the possible role of water discharges.

On October 12 Ecuadorian media reported that the connection to the highway had been reopened, but reopening a road does not mean the full geotechnical assessment is complete. Drivers should follow signage and any closures ordered by the authorities.

Why the rain matters

INAMHI had warned of moderate to heavy rain, thunderstorms and wind gusts in several parts of the country, with possible water accumulation, falling trees, fog and river rises. That warning ended on October 11 and does not by itself prove the technical cause of the landslide; it does provide the context of saturated ground and weather risk in which it occurred.

Useful information for residents and drivers

The Fire Department recommended keeping storm drains clear, not throwing garbage on the road and watching for new cracks or deformations in homes and land. A recent crack, leaning poles, unusual noises or water seeping from a slope should be reported to ECU 911 and not inspected from an unstable area.

For those traveling through Monjas, the prudent step is to check the route before leaving, respect barriers and avoid stopping next to the slope. The situation can change with new rain, even after the visible material has been removed.

Sources

• Quito Informa: cleanup and inspection in Monjas, October 11, 2026.
• Quito Informa: continuation of work and emergency closure.
• INAMHI: weather services and warnings.
• Credit and license of the illustrative image.