Recently, Mexico has been hit by continuous heavy rainstorms, leading to severe flooding and landslides in some areas. According to a statement released by Mexican authorities, as of Tuesday (October 14th), at least 64 people have lost their lives, with 67 others reported missing. Rescue operations and assistance to the affected population are still ongoing.
The National Civil Protection Coordination of Mexico (CNPC) stated that several states in Mexico, including Veracruz, Hidalgo, and Puebla, have been the hardest hit by the heavy rainstorms in the past week. Veracruz reported 29 fatalities, while Hidalgo reported 21 deaths.
The government reported that approximately 100,000 households have been damaged by the storms, with many bridges and other infrastructure destroyed, making many streets impassable due to mud and debris. Even though the flooding has subsided in recent days, about 300 remote communities in central and eastern Mexico remain cut off from the outside world.
Authorities have dispatched thousands of military and civilian personnel to the hardest-hit areas to assist in evacuations, environmental cleanup, and disaster monitoring. Additionally, a census of affected families has been initiated to assess the extent of the damage and provide economic aid to those affected. The Mexican Air Force has established aerial supply lines to deliver food and medical supplies to the disaster-stricken areas.
President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Tuesday that one of the government’s top priorities is to clear roads and establish aerial rescue routes in the affected regions to ensure that residents have access to an adequate supply of food, drinking water, and other essential items.
The disaster was mainly caused by tropical storms Priscilla and Raymond, which brought heavy rain for several consecutive days, affecting a large part of Mexico.