Mexico Reels as Torrential Rains Leave 44 Dead, Dozens Missing

People work on a damaged house due to the rains in the municipality of Huauchinango, Puebla state, Mexico, October 11.

Severe flooding and landslides triggered by relentless rains have devastated central and southeastern Mexico, leaving at least 44 people dead and dozens more missing. The disaster, fueled by two tropical storms, has battered the states of Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo, Queretaro, and San Luis Potosí, where swollen rivers, collapsed roads, and destroyed homes have cut off entire communities.

Authorities report that more than 16,000 homes have been damaged, while widespread power outages have left thousands without electricity. In Hidalgo alone, dozens of towns remain inaccessible, complicating rescue and relief efforts.

The Mexican government has deployed thousands of soldiers and emergency workers to clear debris, reopen roads, and deliver aid. President Claudia Sheinbaum vowed that “no family will be left behind” as recovery operations intensify.

With heavy rains forecast to continue, officials warn that the death toll could rise further, underscoring the growing vulnerability of Mexico’s infrastructure and communities to extreme weather events.