Floods, landslides kill 42 in Mexico

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Mexican authorities have declared a state
of emergency in more than 20 towns in
eastern Tamaulipas after Tropical Storm
Ingrid hit the area. At least 42 people
have died in flooding and landslides.
The two almost simultaneous storms have
affected two-thirds of the country, said
Interior Minister Osorio Chong.
The government has also allocated
emergency funds to western Guerrero
state, where Tropical Storm Manuel
caused severe flooding.
Tropical Storm Manuel made landfall on
Sunday near the port of Manzanillo, on
Mexico’s Pacific coast.
It caused devastation in the resort town
of Acapulco, where at least 21 people
were killed in flash floods and landslides.
A bulldozer was used to help people to
safety on the outskirts of Acapulco
Six members of one family were buried in
their home on the outskirts of Acapulco
when it collapses under a mudslide.
Four thousand people are still in shelters.
Mayor Luis Walton said 40,000 tourists
were stranded in the city as the airport is
still closed after a power cut and two
main highways leading out of the city
remain flooded.
President Enrique Pena Nieto flew over
the area on Monday and said he would
“arrange for government funds to help”.
State Governor Angel Aguirre said he was
organising an air lift to transport goods to
the city and get trapped tourists out.
Manuel dissipated over south-western
Mexico on Monday.
But residents of eastern Mexico were hit
by Hurricane Ingrid, which was
downgraded to a tropical storm shortly
before it made landfall on Monday
morning near the town of La Pesca.
More than 20,000 people were evacuated
in the state of Veracruz. Twelve people
died when a landslide near the town of
Altotonga buried workers trying to clear a
road from debris and passengers waiting
in a bus to pass.
At least 20 highways and 12 bridges were
damaged, according to Veracruz’s civil
protection authority.