At least 41 people have lost their lives in recent days as catastrophic flooding continues to ravage Mexico, triggered by relentless torrential rains, the government announced on Saturday.

The disaster has impacted 31 of Mexico’s 32 states, leaving a trail of destruction, displacing thousands, and crippling infrastructure across the nation.

Civil defense authorities report that persistent downpours have caused rivers to overflow, submerging entire villages, triggering landslides, and collapsing roads and bridges. The central state of Hidalgo has been among the hardest hit, with at least 22 confirmed deaths. The federal security secretariat noted that over 1,000 homes in Hidalgo have been damaged, and 90 communities remain inaccessible to rescue teams due to blocked roads and treacherous conditions.

In neighboring Puebla, local authorities confirmed at least nine fatalities, with approximately 80,000 people affected by the extreme weather. Thousands more remain at risk as flooding persists. The eastern state of Veracruz reported five deaths, while one fatality was recorded in Queretaro, where collapsed infrastructure has further complicated rescue efforts.

President Claudia Sheinbaum took to X on Saturday, announcing the deployment of federal teams to clear blocked roads and reach isolated communities. “We are deploying members and teams from the Mexican government to open roads and assist communities,” she wrote, emphasizing the urgency of the response.

Over 10,000 troops have been mobilized to support rescue and aid operations, distributing relief supplies via boats, helicopters, planes, and land vehicles in the most severely affected areas. Temporary shelters have been established to house thousands of displaced residents, while emergency crews race against time to reach cut-off communities.

The Sierra Madre Oriental, a mountainous region along the Gulf of Mexico, has seen some of the worst impacts. Small, isolated communities in the range remain largely inaccessible due to landslides and collapsed terrain. In Tulancingo, Hidalgo, AFP journalists reported roads to the mountains blocked by debris, with rescue operations hampered by ongoing rainfall.

The flooding has been worsened by tropical systems off Mexico’s Pacific coast. Authorities are closely monitoring Tropical Depression Raymond, which is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the southern tip of Baja California over the weekend, according to the US National Hurricane Center. The remnants of former Hurricane Priscilla have already dumped significant rainfall on Chiapas, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Michoacan, compounding the destruction.

Meteorologist Isidro Cano explained that the intense rainfall since Thursday is tied to seasonal transitions. Warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico is rising and condensing over mountain ranges, leading to sustained downpours. An incoming cold front from the north has further intensified rainfall, with Mexico City registering record-breaking precipitation levels.

As of Sunday, October 12, 2025, the National Meteorological Service reported that rainfall is expected to continue in central and southern Mexico through mid-week, raising concerns about further flooding and landslides. In Guerrero, local authorities reported an additional three deaths on Sunday, bringing the nationwide toll to at least 44. Over 150,000 people are now estimated to be affected, with more than 20,000 displaced from their homes.

The government has allocated emergency funds to support recovery efforts, and international aid organizations are beginning to mobilize resources to assist. However, challenges remain in reaching remote areas, particularly in the Sierra Madre Oriental, where communication lines are down, and roads remain impassable.

President Sheinbaum urged citizens to follow evacuation orders and avoid flood-prone areas, warning that the situation remains critical. “We are doing everything in our power to save lives and restore access to affected communities,” she said in a televised address on Sunday.

As Mexico grapples with one of its worst flooding disasters in recent years, authorities are bracing for more rainfall and potential tropical storm activity, with the focus remaining on rescue operations and providing aid to those in need. (ILKHA)