The extraordinary rains that hit five states in central and eastern Mexico in recent days left 70 dead and 72 people missing, figures adjusted by the Mexican Government.
“There are 70 people who unfortunately died, 30 in Veracruz, 21 in Hidalgo, 18 in Puebla and one person in Querétaro and there are 72 people not located,” reported President Claudia Sheinbaum, during her morning press conference.
He also stated that although several people were located, some have still not been found by their families, although he reiterated the government’s support for those affected.
Previously, in statements to the media, Laura Velázquez, head of the National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC), detailed that 111 municipalities were affected and 160 localities remain cut off due to the intense rainfall, although the number gradually decreases as the reopening of roads progresses.
Meanwhile, Jesús Esteva, Secretary of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation, explained that as of today, 108 municipalities continue to be affected, of which 69 were classified as priorities.
Hidalgo is the most impacted state, with 28 municipalities affected and 84 communities still without land access.
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Hidalgo and Veracruz are the states most affected by rains
In parallel, the director of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), Emilia Calleja, reported that the electricity supply was restored by 93%, with more than 207,000 users reconnected in Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla and Querétaro.
However, 19,700 homes remain without power, mainly in hard-to-reach areas. To reach them, the CFE will deploy more than 100 emergency plants, some of which will be transported by military helicopters.
Calleja acknowledged that in states such as Hidalgo and Veracruz it is still necessary to transport personnel and materials by air to repair damaged infrastructure.
The authorities anticipate that, if weather conditions permit, land access to most of the isolated communities will be restored next week and the reconstruction of strategic bridges will be accelerated.
Sheinbaum explained on Wednesday that the federal government has classified 191 communities as “priority”, a criterion based mainly on the percentage of affected homes and announced that his government will offer daily reports on damage and support actions, and estimated that by next Monday there could be a more complete assessment of affected homes.
With information from EFE
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