Mexico is struggling with the severe consequences of widespread flooding caused by torrential rains that have swept through five states in the country. At least 64 people have died, mainly in Veracruz and Hidalgo - the worst-hit regions. Another 65 people are missing, ABC News, Reuters and AP report, News.bg reports.
The Mexican government is taking urgent action to rebuild the devastated areas and prevent the spread of diseases such as dengue, which is carried by mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water.
In Veracruz, 29 people have died and 18 are being sought. In Hidalgo, 21 deaths and 43 missing have been confirmed. At least 13 people died in the state of Puebla, and a landslide in Queretaro killed a child.
Over 100,000 homes were damaged by the storm, with infrastructure completely destroyed in many places. Bridges have been damaged, and entire neighborhoods have been buried in mud and debris after the water receded.
To deal with the crisis, authorities have deployed 10,000 soldiers and rescue teams to evacuate the population, clean streets and monitor the situation.
Heavy rains have poured down along the Gulf Coast and in the central regions of the country over the past week, causing rivers to overflow, landslides and widespread destruction.
“This intense rain was not expected to have such a devastating effect”, said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Helicopters are delivering food and drinking water to about 200 isolated communities, while also transporting the sick and injured. Authorities have warned that access to some areas could take days to be restored.
In some areas, the situation has been complicated by oil spills. In the town of Poza Rica, cleanup efforts have been hampered by a thick layer of oil on trees, roofs and cars. State oil company Pemex has carried out controlled drainage in the affected areas to prevent further spread of the contamination.