QUITO, 1 Feb (CGTN) -- Heavy rains triggered landslides and flooding that have killed at least 22 people and injured dozens of others in Quito, the capital of Ecuador.

Authorities worked to clean up cars, mud and debris that were swept to the west. The intense rains swept away eight houses and engulfed a recreation area where people were playing volleyball near the Pichincha volcano.

The rains were nearly 40 times as much as predicted by weather experts, and 19.8 gallons per square meter were recorded, the highest level since 2003.