At least 37 people have died in Mexico due to the torrential rains and floods that hit the country over the last week, according to an announcement by the federal government on Saturday.
The heavy rainfall affected 31 out of 32 Mexican states, causing rivers to overflow, landslides, as well as collapses of roads and bridges, the National Civil Protection Agency reported.
The greatest damage has been recorded in the states of Hidalgo, Puebla, Veracruz, and Querétaro. 22 deaths occurred in Hidalgo, nine in Puebla, five in Veracruz, and one in Querétaro. The extreme weather events are attributed to a tropical system that formed in the Gulf of Mexico.
More than 35,000 homes were damaged, and thousands of families were forced to abandon their residences due to the flooding. Authorities report widespread problems with the road network, power outages, and telecommunications malfunctions.
The Mexican Army has been deployed to affected areas, with over 5,400 members participating in operations to provide humanitarian aid and distribute supplies.
According to meteorologist Isidro Cano, the heavy rainfall is linked to the change of season and the collision of warm and humid air masses from the Gulf of Mexico with a cold front from the north, which intensified the phenomena across a large part of the country.
This year’s rainfall is significantly higher compared to previous years, with authorities reporting record rainfall in some areas, including the capital.
