Is it safe to travel to Mexico amid devastating floods?

KANIKA SINGH RATHORE,

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at least 64 people have died due to torrential rains In MexicoWhile dozens of people are still missing and the situation in remote towns with less than 1,000 inhabitants remains unknown.

More than 300 communities have been cut off by landslides and flooding as of Tuesday, while soldiers and civilians attempt to reopen blocked roads.

The extreme weather, which peaked over the weekend, caused damage to homes, as well as power outages in some areas.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said a National Emergency Committee remains in permanent session to monitor affected states, allocate resources and support communities.

“We are sparing no resources to assist the population affected by the rains,” he said.

What happened in Mexico?

The convergence of two tropical storms on Mexico’s west coast brought heavy rains, causing rivers to swell.

It is believed that the torrential rains originated from here tropical storm Priscilla, a hurricane to the east, and Tropical Storm Raymond.

Mud and debris caused by heavy rains in the Las Granjas neighborhood in Poza Rica, Veracruz state

Mud and debris caused by heavy rains in the Las Granjas neighborhood in Poza Rica, Veracruz state ,AFP via Getty Images,

President Sheinbaum said the “greatest urgency” was to reopen roads as well as deliver food supplies and water to affected communities.

To prevent the outbreak of dengue, a disease spread by mosquitoes, health teams have started fumigating the affected areas.

Where has flooding occurred in Mexico?

The most affected states are Veracruz; Hidalgo, which is north of Mexico City; and Puebla, east of Mexico City. Hidalgo is believed to have suffered the most damage with approximately 100,000 homes damaged or destroyed. Floods and landslides, as well as power cuts to at least 150 communities.

A destroyed road after flooding caused by heavy rains in the city of Huehuetla, Hidalgo state

A destroyed road after flooding caused by heavy rains in the city of Huehuetla, Hidalgo state ,AFP via Getty Images,

Mexico’s civil protection agency said heavy rains had killed 29 people in Veracruz state on the Gulf coast as of Monday morning and about 21 in Hidalgo state.

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At least 13 people were killed in Puebla. Meanwhile, a child died in a landslide in the central state of Querétaro.

Residents of the oil town of Poza Rica said floodwaters left a black, oily residue, believed to have come from nearby oil and gas installations, on trees and rooftops.

Mexico has deployed about 10,000 troops in addition to civilian rescue teams. Helicopters have delivered food and water to cut-off communities and rescued the sick and injured.

What is the government’s advice?

The UK Government has no specific advice regarding severe weather.

Separately, the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Tijuana, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero and parts of Chiapas. Some exceptions apply in these areas.

Streets are flooded after heavy rain in Poza Rica, Veracruz state, Mexico, on October 11

Streets are flooded after heavy rain in Poza Rica, Veracruz state, Mexico, on October 11 ,AFP via Getty Images,

The Foreign Office also provides extensive advice on extreme weather and natural disasters in Mexico. It states that hurricane season in Mexico typically runs from June to November and can affect the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

Storms often cause floods, landslides and disruption of local services, including transport networks. The government recommends monitoring local and international weather updates from the U.S. National Hurricane Center and following the advice of local authorities and your tour operator, including evacuation orders.

The US government issued a weather warning for travelers on Thursday, October 9, ahead of the devastation caused by both tropical storms. It advised people to check with their airline for updates, check road conditions before traveling, monitor local media and follow instructions from local officials or call 911 in an emergency.

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Are flights to Mexico affected?

There has been no significant disruption to flights in and around the affected areas following the floods.

Mexico City Airport, Veracruz Airport and Puebla Airport have seen little or no disruption since Monday morning.

Will my vacation to Mexico be canceled?

Since the FCDO does not warn against non-essential travel to Mexico, there will not be any special circumstances to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund.

The terms for canceling your trip will depend on your holiday provider, so it’s best to contact them if you wish to postpone.

There is no obligation on companies to refund a booking if you wish to cancel, and until government advice changes, you will not be able to make a claim on your travel insurance due to safety concerns.

If you have travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination.

Check your insurance policies and talk to your insurer to find out where you stand.

Read more: Deadly landslides and floods cut off 300 communities in Mexico

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