Fresh floods have struck in Acapulco just a few days after flooding hit the city as a result of heavy rainfall in the region, brought by Hurricane Manuel. This time the torrential rain is due to a large area of low pressure off Mexico’s west coats. Authorities believe that the most recent spate of floods combined with the deluge brought by the two hurricanes – Manuel and Ingrid – mean that September 2013 could be one of the wettest on record for several parts of Mexico, including Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit.
Parts of Acapulco are believed to be under 1 metre of water after further torrential rainfall. Other areas of the state of Guerrero have also been badly affected and further heavy rainfall is expected over the next 2 or 3 days, prompting the government to issue flood warnings. People have been evacuated from the homes across 20 districts in Guerrero state, including Union, Chilpancingo and Tixtla. Others areas such as Colosio, Renacimiento, Llano Largo y Viveristas have also been badly affected.
There are still around 20,000 people in Guerrero living in shelters and temporary accommodation after the last deluge. There are still many people missing, many of them believed to be buried under landslides in the village of La Pintada, Guerrero state. Rescue and emergency services are continuing their search.
The airport in Acapulco was badly affected during the Manuel floods, leaving thousands of tourists stranded. Around 30,000 tourists had to be airlifted out of the resort. Although the airport re-opened for business on Sunday 22nd September, it is suffering again in the most recent floods after roads to the airport have been flooded in the recent downpour.
Sources: BBC; El Economista
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