Photo: Pixabay

By KELIN DILLON

Heavy storms across the central states of Mexico on the evening of Monday, Sept. 6, caused massive floods throughout the region, resulting in the deaths of 17 hospital patients and widespread damage.

In Hidalgo, the state north of Mexico City, a hospital run by the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), reported water levels up to a meter high within the building and had their oxygen systems fail due to broken power lines. At least six patients hospitalized with covid-19 died as a result, with the others of unknown illness likewise passing away.

The storm’s intense rains likewise oversaturated crops throughout Hidalgo, causing severe damage to the already-suffering farming sector.

In Ecatepec, a municipality in the State of Mexico (Edoméx), sweeping floods trapped drivers and pedestrians in the streets, reaching such strengths that cars were pulled down the road and ultimately leading to the deaths of two people.

Residents of Ecatepec whose homes were affected by the storm have since protested by creating blockades on public roads, insisting the area’s government help them remove the dangerous rainwater from their abodes.