Landslides, caused by six days of nonstop rain, have killed 15 people, destroyed homes and forced scores of evacuations in the Ecuadorian capital city of Quito.

The rains started last Wednesday and have continued since then, causing about 150 landslides and the emergency evacuation of 180 people.

More than 200 city workers are using bulldozers and tractors in order to secure hillsides and dig out neighborhoods.

The country's Meteorological Institute said rainfall in the first half of the month reached 5.5 inches, only a half-inch shy of the average rainfall level for the entire month.

Meteorologists predict more rainfall in upcoming days. Eight city districts are in risk of avalanches, city officials said.