Heavy rains leave at least 27 dead in Mexico, dozens missing

At least 27 people have been confirmed dead and more remain missing after days of relentless rainfall triggered widespread flooding and landslides across much of Mexico, officials reported on October 10.

According to civil protection authorities, the downpours affected 31 of the country’s 32 states, severely impacting infrastructure, displacing families, and knocking out power in multiple regions, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

In Hidalgo state, 16 people lost their lives. Authorities there reported significant damage to over 1,000 homes and hundreds of schools.

The central and eastern regions bore the brunt of the extreme weather, with the worst-affected areas including Veracruz, Queretaro, Hidalgo, and San Luis Potosi, civil defence authorities confirmed.

In Puebla state, Governor Alejandro Armenta reported that at least nine people had died in incidents such as landslides, and another five remain missing. Veracruz state recorded two additional fatalities.

President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the crisis on social media, pledging ongoing federal support to impacted communities.

"We are working to support the population, open roads and restore electrical services," Sheinbaum said in a post on X.

She also shared images showing emergency responders wading through flooded streets and delivering supplies to residents.

One striking video released by the Navy showed an officer neck-deep in floodwaters in the town of Poza Rica, Veracruz, searching for stranded individuals. The Cazones River had overflowed, submerging large portions of the town.

Mexico's Ministry of Defense reported deploying more than 5,400 personnel for monitoring, evacuation, and cleanup operations.

In total, over 8,700 military personnel have been mobilized nationwide to assist with the response.

Meanwhile, tropical storms Raymond and Priscilla have continued to lash the Baja California peninsula and the Pacific coast, compounding the effects of the ongoing disaster.

By Sabina Mammadli