ALBAWABA- Torrential rains fueled by back-to-back tropical storms have triggered deadly floods and landslides across central and eastern Mexico, killing at least 64 people and leaving 65 others missing, authorities announced Monday.
The deluge, which began late last week, has overwhelmed rivers, washed away homes and bridges, and cut off entire communities in some of the country’s most vulnerable regions.
Veracruz has been the hardest hit, with 29 deaths and 18 missing, after overflowing rivers such as the Cazones inundated low-lying neighborhoods under mud and debris. In Hidalgo, 16 people were confirmed dead, while Puebla reported nine fatalities and Querétaro one, according to the national disaster response agency.
Between October 6 and 9, the remnants of Tropical Storms Priscilla and Raymond dumped more than 540 millimeters (21 inches) of rain on Veracruz—one of the heaviest downpours in decades.
More than 8,700 troops from the army, navy, and air force have been deployed to aid rescue operations, evacuate trapped residents, and deliver emergency supplies.
President Claudia Sheinbaum said on X that authorities were “working nonstop to support the population, open roads, and restore power.” Rescue teams were seen using inflatable rafts to reach stranded families, while some residents in Veracruz’s Poza Rica waded through waist-deep water, salvaging what they could from submerged homes.
In Puebla, heavy landslides buried several villages under mud and debris, complicating rescue efforts. The floods have destroyed or damaged thousands of homes, schools, and hospitals, while widespread power outages and shortages have forced hundreds into emergency shelters.
Meteorologists say Mexico’s record-breaking rainfall this year, particularly in the capital, has intensified the country’s vulnerability to flash floods and mudslides. With rains expected to continue through the week, emergency crews are racing to locate the missing and prevent further tragedy.
