Heavy Rains Cause Severe Damage in Mexico City and State of Mexico
On Monday, the Mexican government reported that the rains on September 27th caused significant damage in various areas of the Valley of Mexico, primarily in the boroughs of Iztapalapa and Tláhuac, as well as in the municipalities of Nezahualcóyotl, La Paz, Ecatepec, and Los Reyes La Paz in the State of Mexico.
Atypical Rainfall and Existing Issues
Efraín Morales López, general director of the National Water Commission (Conagua), explained that the rainfall was an atypical event, with 75 millimeters of precipitation, one of the most intense in decades. He added that the combination of heavy rainfall, waste accumulation issues in drainage systems, and deteriorated infrastructure due to differential settlement caused flooding and waterlogging in different parts of the region.
Emergency Response and Current Situation
During Claudia Sheinbaum’s morning press conference, it was announced that emergency teams from Mexico City, the State of Mexico, and Conagua were immediately deployed with specialized personnel and equipment to mitigate the damages.
“As of today (Monday, September 29th), the levels have been practically reduced to almost nothing in Mexico City. In the State of Mexico, particularly in La Paz, the situation is now under control,” reported Morales López.
However, he acknowledged that issues persist in two colonies of Nezahualcóyotl: Vicente Villada and Ampliación Vicente Villada, where a joint command post with federal, state, and local authorities remains in place.
Census and Aid Distribution
Following instructions from President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the Secretariat of Well-being, led by Ariadna Montiel, initiated a house-to-house census to identify material damages and channel aid to affected families.
Alongside the census, the program of emergency social and natural aid will be implemented.
Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sanitation Actions
Authorities also detailed that cleaning, disinfection, and sanitation actions will be taken, including the cleaning of cisterns and homes once water levels permit.
“We will seek a definitive solution so that these problems do not keep recurring,” emphasized Morales López.
Key Questions and Answers
- What caused the severe damages? The combination of heavy rainfall, waste accumulation issues in drainage systems, and deteriorated infrastructure due to differential settlement caused flooding and waterlogging in different parts of the region.
- Who is leading the response efforts? Emergency teams from Mexico City, the State of Mexico, and the National Water Commission (Conagua) have been deployed with specialized personnel and equipment.
- What actions are being taken to help affected families? The Secretariat of Well-being, led by Ariadna Montiel, initiated a house-to-house census to identify material damages and will implement the program of emergency social and natural aid.
- What additional measures are being taken to address the situation? Cleaning, disinfection, and sanitation actions will be taken, including the cleaning of cisterns and homes once water levels permit.
