Torrential rains triggered by tropical systems Priscilla and Raymond have claimed at least 47 lives across multiple Mexican states, while dozens remain missing and communities struggle with massive destruction.

Rescue operations continue in Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, and Querétaro, where heavy rainfall has caused devastating landslides and floods. Officials reported 18 deaths in Veracruz, 16 in Hidalgo, 12 in Puebla, and one in Querétaro. At least 38 people are still missing in several regions.

President Claudia Sheinbaum has visited the hardest-hit areas, pledging immediate federal assistance and a comprehensive census of affected families to ensure fair distribution of aid.

In Veracruz and Puebla, soldiers, firefighters, and police units have been deployed to carry out evacuations and deliver relief supplies. Many communities cut off by collapsed bridges and damaged roads are being reached only by airlift operations, delivering food, water, and medical assistance.

Sheinbaum emphasized that many areas remain in critical condition due to power outages, lack of clean water, and widespread infrastructure damage. “We know there is much desperation and worry,” she said. “We will reach everyone.”

In the city of Poza Rica, floodwaters reached up to 12 feet after the Cazones River overflowed, inundating entire neighborhoods.

Across the affected states, more than 81,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed, and over 1,000 kilometers of roads have been rendered impassable. Emergency shelters have been set up for displaced families, while engineers are assessing the stability of bridges and highways.

Authorities warn that with rivers still swollen and the ground saturated, further rainfall could trigger additional landslides in the coming days. The National Emergency Committee remains in continuous session, coordinating disaster response and aid distribution across all affected regions.

The tragedy highlights Mexico’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather events and the urgent need for stronger climate resilience and disaster preparedness measures nationwide. (ILKHA)