Thaindian News

MEXICO CITY (BNO NEWS) — Unusual rainfall in the recent weeks have flooded several eastern and southern states in Mexico, forcing at least 600,000 people from their houses, officials said.

Rainfall was the heaviest for the month of July in 25 years, in contrast to July 2009, which was Mexico’s driest. The unusual rainfall saturated the reservoirs and lake, which have been unable to take on the seasonal rains, flooding several regions of the country.

The most affected states are Tabasco, Veracruz, Chiapas, and Oaxaca, with at least 460,000 acres of cropland reportedly being lost. More than 100,000 homes in Tabasco alone are inhabitable with floodwater reaching several rooftops. Over 124,000 have already fled the region.

Tapachula, Chiapas has had 15 inches of rainfall during the first week of September, and more than 30 in early August. Since the start of August, Veracruz has had over 30 inches of rainfall, doubling its average. Approximately 200,000 people have already left Veracruz with colonial town Tlacotalpan - declared a world hertiage site - practically being completely flooded.

“It’s not a minor situation. Furthermore, 99 percent of the victims face extreme poverty, which is make the matter worse and more delicate,” Daniel Goñi of the Red Cross said, explaining that in many cases, victims “lose all their assets” and it is difficult for them to recover.

Because of this, tens of thousands of residents refuse to evacuate the flooded areas, finding refuge on the roofs of their houses.

The Red Cross has distributed 220 tons of provisions throughout the affected regions as it expects to increase its aid.

“It’s important for us to help. No government is ready to take on a major disaster like these by itself,” Goñi said, emphasizing that at these times, everyone needs to be on the look out and show solidarity, letting victims know that they are not alone.

Tabasco Governor Andres Granier explained that residents are used to dealing with the flooding as many refuse to leave the affected areas, but weather forecasts indicate that the worse is to come, alarming authorities throughout the region.

“What worries me is that the worst is yet to come for Tabasco. The state and these people cannot keep suffering these problems each year, or live in permanent uncertainty,” Granier said, fearing the flooding could surpass the 2007 disaster as record rainfall is expected.