The Mexican government confirmed this Saturday that 37 people have died so far from the heavy rains of recent days, as well as serious damage in 117 municipalities across the country.
The National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC) stated in a statement that the 37 deaths were reported by the governments of the states of Hidalgo (22), Puebla (9), Querétaro (1)—all three located in central Mexico—and the eastern state of Veracruz (5).
“Local and federal authorities are in constant communication with their families to provide the necessary support,” the statement noted.
The CNPC added that emergency efforts are focused on 117 municipalities in five states, where “major damage” has occurred: Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí.
In Veracruz, the authority said, 55 municipalities were affected, with at least 16,000 homes damaged, 42 communities with limited access, 25 communication routes damaged, and 51 landslides.
In Hidalgo, the CNPC reported 13 municipalities affected, with approximately 1,200 homes, 308 schools, and 59 health centers affected, in addition to 150 communities without access, six streams overflowing, 71 communication routes damaged, and 190 landslides.
In Puebla, there are preliminary records of 37 affected municipalities, at least 16,000 homes, one hospital, and three communication routes affected, in addition to 83 landslides and mudslides in different regions of the state.
In Querétaro, seven municipalities have been reported affected, with 147 homes damaged, five communities without temporary access, five communication routes affected, and 16 landslides.
And in San Luis Potosí, there are five municipalities with damage, at least 1,000 homes affected, 25 landslides, four streams overflowing or with active runoff, and one “large-scale” landslide, according to the CNPC.
Regarding electricity disruptions, the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) reported 130,819 affected users in Veracruz, with 20% progress in restoring service.
Meanwhile, in Querétaro, 4,512 users have been affected, with 97% progress in restoring electricity. In Puebla, 26,442 users were affected, with 14% progress, and in Hidalgo, 65,443 users were affected, with 49% progress.
The CNPC assured that active work is being done in the aforementioned states in coordination with state and municipal governments, along with the Ministries of Defense, Navy, Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT), the National Guard (GN), the National Water Commission (Conagua), and the CFE (Federal Commission of the Federal Electricity Commission).
Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced in a message on X that at 12:30 p.m. local time she would hold a virtual meeting with the governors of Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, and Querétaro, along with the CNPC, “to evaluate progress in assisting the population due to the heavy rains.”
Sheinbaum stated that “once the emergency is addressed, the census will begin to support the population” and promised that her government will not leave anyone “helpless.”
Source: cnnespanol
