Background on Key Figures and Relevance
Nuevo León, Mexico is experiencing heavy rainfall that has increased the flow of River Santa Catarina. The situation has prompted actions from local authorities, including Governor Samuel García and Luis Carlos Alatorre Cejudo, the General Director of the Rio Bravo Water Resources Commission (Conagua).
Governor Samuel García is the current leader of Nuevo León, elected in 2019. His administration focuses on managing natural resources and ensuring the well-being of the region’s residents. Luis Carlos Alatorre Cejudo, as the head of Conagua’s Rio Bravo Water Resources Commission, plays a crucial role in monitoring water resources and coordinating responses to extreme weather events.
Current Situation and Actions Taken
On Monday, September 8, intense rainfall in Monterrey and the Sierra Madre Oriental caused River Santa Catarina’s flow to rise significantly. In response, Governor Samuel García and Conagua’s Luis Carlos Alatorre Cejudo took the following actions:
- Controlled Discharge at La Boca: Due to the reservoir exceeding 100% capacity, Conagua initiated a controlled discharge of 50 cubic meters per second from La Boca.
- Monitoring Presa El Cuchillo: Authorities are observing the rise in Presa El Cuchillo’s water level, anticipating further increases due to ongoing and forecasted rainfall.
- Maintaining Presa La Boca at 95% Capacity: García Sepúlveda ensured that Presa La Boca remains above 95% capacity, balancing water intake from heavy rains and controlled discharge.
Current Status of Nuevo León’s Dams
As of the latest updates, several dams in Nuevo León are experiencing increased water levels:
- Cerro Prieto: 90% capacity
- New Leon Dam: 30% capacity
- El Cuchillo (the largest dam): 71% capacity
Governor’s Regional Tour and Recommendations
To assess the situation in the citrus-growing region, Governor García Sepúlveda, accompanied by Protección Civil del Estado (State Protection Civil), inspected local rivers. He emphasized the importance of staying informed about weather forecasts and official alerts, as more rainfall is expected throughout the week.
García Sepúlveda urged residents to:
- Stay informed: Keep track of weather updates and official advisories.
- Limit non-essential travel: Avoid unnecessary trips outside the home.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current situation in Nuevo León? Heavy rains have caused River Santa Catarina to swell, prompting controlled discharge at La Boca and increased water levels in several dams.
- Who are the key figures involved? Governor Samuel García and Luis Carlos Alatorre Cejudo, General Director of Conagua’s Rio Bravo Water Resources Commission.
- What actions have been taken? Controlled discharge at La Boca, monitoring of Presa El Cuchillo, and maintaining Presa La Boca at 95% capacity.
- What recommendations have been issued? Stay informed about weather updates and official advisories, limit non-essential travel.
