The coastal provinces, from Esmeraldas in the north to Guayas in the south, continued to be affected in October by intensive rains and, in some parts, by high tides. Damage to housing and infrastructure is reported, as well as to banana and sugar plantations. A state of emergency has been declared for these areas and assistance is being provided by the international community. Planting of the 1998 maize crop, the main crop, has started and the area planted is tentatively forecast to remain close to 1997 satisfactory level. Despite localized flooding, the area planted to paddy is expected to be about average and production should be sufficient to meet the needs of the population. A contingency plan has been prepared by the Government to help the population cope with the effects of El Ni�o. This includes technical advice to farmers on protective measures and the use of alternative crops, public works such as the cleaning of canals and country roads, strengthening of bridges, and the repair of the sewage system in some municipalities. Preventive health and sanitary measures have been adopted all over the country.
Wheat imports in the 1998 marketing year (January/December) are expected to be about 485 000 tons, similar to 1997.