More than 4,700 people at risk evacuated

There are still at least 97 towns in the states of Hidalgo, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, and Veracruz that were still inaccessible by land due to the heavy rains last weekend.

More than 3,000 people were also reported to be in shelters, while more than 4,700 people had been evacuated from high-risk areas as of last Tuesday.

The death toll from the rains rose to 66, while 75 people were reported missing.

According to the National Civil Protection Coordination, in Veracruz there are "30 deaths; 18 people are missing. There are 40 affected municipalities (22 priority) and 52 shelters with 3,967 people.

“In Puebla, 14 deaths have been reported, seven of which were unlocated, 23 municipalities (17 of which were priority) were affected, and seven temporary shelters are housing 685 people.

“In Hidalgo, 21 deaths, 50 unlocated, 29 municipalities affected (23 priority) and 46 shelters with 2,530 people.

In Querétaro, “one person died, eight municipalities affected (2 priority and 8 shelters with 48 people.

“In San Luis Potosí, 14 municipalities (two priority) have been reported affected, with no deaths or missing persons, and two shelters with 342 people.”

The report stated that "the figures are being verified, and damage assessment and assistance to the population continue."

Microsite ready

Yesterday, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that a microsite is being prepared to contain updated data on deceased, missing, and located individuals.

"We're creating a microsite, this is important, for public information, so that all of this can be known," he said, adding that 103 people who had been reported missing have already been located thanks to the 079 helpline.

He assured that the Mexican government maintains a permanent presence in the hardest-hit areas with sufficient personnel, machinery, and resources to address the emergency.

During her third consecutive day of tours of the affected areas—which included Tamazunchale, San Luis Potosí, and El Higo, Veracruz—the president indicated that no resources will be spared in assisting the affected communities and emphasized that the priority is to open roads and guarantee food and drinking water.

During his visit to El Higo, Veracruz, he reiterated his commitment to leaving no one behind and announced that the financial assistance will be delivered in two stages: the first, expected to be immediate, for cleaning homes and replacing belongings; and a second, which will focus on rebuilding infrastructure.

Protests in Veracruz

Amid the relief efforts, students from the University of Veracruz (UV) took over facilities in different regions of the state to protest the lack of action taken to address the disappearances of members of the university community following the floods.

The demonstrations—at faculties in Xalapa, Orizaba, and the port of Veracruz—denounced the lack of institutional response.

Students in Puebla

For his part, Puebla Governor Alejandro Armenta assured that no municipality will be left without assistance in the face of the emergency in the Sierra Norte.

The state Secretary of Public Education, Manuel Viveros Narciso, reported that the Education and Sports Sector Damage Assessment Subcommittees were established, reporting 164 affected schools in 53 municipalities, with 21,074 students affected.