Heavy Rains in Mexico Result in 28 Fatalities and Widespread Damage

Severe flooding triggered by heavy rainfall across central and southeastern Mexico has resulted in at least 28 fatalities and significant infrastructure damage, according to local authorities. The central state of Hidalgo reported 16 deaths, with over 1,000 homes, 59 hospitals and clinics, and 308 schools affected by landslides and overflowing rivers.

In neighboring Puebla state, nine people died, and 13 are missing. Approximately 80,000 residents have been impacted, and a gas pipeline was ruptured due to a landslide. Veracruz state reported two fatalities, including a police officer, with 5,000 homes damaged and nearly 900 people evacuated to shelters. Additionally, a child died in Querétaro state after being caught in a landslide.

The heavy rainfall caused power outages affecting more than 320,000 users and damaged nearly 1,000 kilometers of roads across six states. In response, the government deployed over 8,700 military personnel to assist with monitoring, evacuation, and cleanup efforts. President Claudia Sheinbaum stated, "We are working to support the population, open roads and restore electrical services."

Meteorologists have noted the return of the Pacific Ocean cooling pattern known as La Niña, which can influence global weather patterns and intensify hurricanes. While it may be late in the hurricane season to affect tropical weather in the Atlantic, La Niña could still lead to heavy rains or droughts worldwide.