A week after the floods, central Mexico still reels from the devastation

"The stench of decay extends miles beyond Poza Rica in one of the regions most devastated by last week's torrential rains that inundated central and eastern Mexico. By Wednesday, the official death toll had reached 66, with the number of missing people increasing to 75. Nearly 200 communities remain isolated predominantly in Hidalgo's central mountainous region, where persistent cloud cover has hindered helicopter access. A persistent dust cloud hangs over the main avenue of Poza Rica, a gulf-adjacent oil-producing city, where soldiers laboured continuously."

"To the east, near the overflowed Cazones River, numerous streets remained submerged under 3 feet (about 1 metre) of water and mud, covered by an additional 6 feet of accumulated rubbish, furniture, and debris. A week later, this looks horrible worse. You can't even cross the street, lamented Ana Luz Saucedo, who escaped with her children when water rushed in like the sea. She now fears disease because a decomposing body near her home remains uncollected."

At least 66 people died and 75 remain missing after torrential rains inundated central and eastern Mexico, leaving nearly 200 communities isolated, mainly in Hidalgo's central mountains. Persistent cloud cover has hindered helicopter access. Poza Rica suffered heavy contamination, submerged streets and a lingering dust cloud as soldiers worked continuous recovery efforts. Streets near the overflowed Cazones River were covered by water, mud and accumulated debris up to several feet deep. Residents report insufficient warnings and fear disease from uncollected decomposing bodies. Officials attribute the catastrophe to converging weather systems that saturated rivers and destabilized hillsides while rescue and recovery operations continue.

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