A week after devastating floods swept through five central and eastern Mexican states, the federal government confirmed that the death toll has risen to 72, with another 48 people still missing.

Heavy rainfall and landslides caused by the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla and Tropical Storm Raymond have severely affected Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí, marking one of the worst natural disasters in Mexico’s recent history.

In Veracruz, the hardest-hit state, 32 people have been reported dead and 14 are missing. Hidalgo has reported 21 deaths and remains heavily isolated, while Puebla has confirmed 18 fatalities. Mudslides and collapsed bridges have left many communities cut off. Infrastructure Minister Jesús Esteva said 127 towns remain inaccessible in the worst-affected regions.

More than 8,000 soldiers are participating in search, rescue, and cleanup operations. The Defense Ministry has deployed 21 helicopters to deliver aid and medical supplies to isolated towns in Hidalgo and Veracruz. President Claudia Sheinbaum visited the affected areas and pledged that her administration “will spare no expense” in ensuring relief and recovery.

Health concerns are growing in Poza Rica, Veracruz, where stagnant floodwaters and poor sanitation have raised fears of typhoid fever and cholera. Many residents remain without shelter as local authorities struggle to restore power and clean water. The National Water Commission (Conagua) said river levels remain dangerously high, warning residents of possible renewed flooding in low-lying Gulf-Coast regions.

In Puebla, more than 200 families remain in state-run shelters, even as the government prepares to close them. Many rural families who lost their homes say they have nowhere else to go.

Veracruz Governor Rocío Nahle has faced growing criticism for her response to the disaster. Although she said that early warnings were issued and many people were evacuated, some residents deny receiving any alerts. Critics have also noted that her administration canceled the state’s natural disaster insurance policy earlier this year.

Recovery efforts are expected to take months, possibly years, as large areas remain flooded and basic infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and power lines have been destroyed. Authorities continue to assess the damage while emergency teams race to provide aid before new rains arrive this weekend. (ILKHA)