Heavy rains in the south of Veracruz over the past two days have led to significant economic losses, home evictions, a state emergency, and a preliminary count of five deaths. The overflow of several rivers, including the Coatzacoalcos and Papaloapan Rivers, has caused these issues.
Bridge Collapse
A bridge on the Santiago Tuxtla-Isla highway collapsed due to the intense rains. The collapse occurred on Sunday morning, following warnings from local authorities. The continuous rainfall over the past two days contributed to the bridge’s collapse. Currently, there is no plan to reconnect this section, and the local government has called for an alternate route to ensure people’s safety.
Emergency Response
In response to the flooding, the Mexican Army activated the DN-III Plan in Tlacotalpan due to the Papaloapan River’s overflow. The Navy Plan was also activated, with personnel from the Mexican Navy and volunteers filling sandbags to serve as a retaining wall and prevent water from reaching the municipal capital. Both Tlacotalpan and surrounding communities are already flooded, and families have begun to abandon their homes and belongings.
Economic Impact
The heavy rains have caused significant economic losses, as people are unable to work, and businesses have been flooded. The state of Veracruz is in a state of emergency due to the flooding and the response plans from both the Mexican and state governments.
Government Action
State Governor Cuitláhuac García Jiménez led a virtual meeting of the State Emergency Committee, reporting the distribution of 61,821 state supplies to affected individuals. Additionally, 4,483 supplies from the strategic reserves of the municipalities were activated and distributed as first responders to the emergency.
Source: Infobae