Deadly heat wave claims at least 100 lives in Mexico
1 min read 30 Jun 2023, 10:44 AM ISTOver 100 people have died in Mexico in the past two weeks due to a heat wave, with temperatures reaching close to 50 degrees Celsius in some areas. The majority of deaths occurred in the northern state of Nuevo Leon.
PremiumAt least 100 people have died over the past two weeks in Mexico due to heat-related causes as temperatures soared close to 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in certain regions of the country. the health ministry said on Thursday.
As reported by Reuters, a three-week-long heat wave this month strained the energy grid with record demand, forced authorities to suspend classes in some areas and left many Mexicans sweltering.
According to a report on extreme temperatures, the Mexican health ministry revealed that more than two-thirds of the heat-related deaths occurred during the week of June 18-24, with the remaining deaths occurring the previous week.
In contrast, only one heat-related fatality was recorded during the same period last year. Heat stroke was the primary cause of death in nearly all cases, with a few attributed to dehydration. Approximately 64% of the deaths occurred in the northern state of Nuevo Leon, which shares a border with Texas. The majority of the remaining deaths took place in the neighboring states of Tamaulipas and Veracruz, located on the Gulf coast.
As of late, temperatures have decreased due to the arrival of the rainy season, bringing much-needed rainfall.
Nevertheless, certain northern cities continue to experience high temperatures. In the state of Sonora, for instance, the town of Aconchi recorded temperatures as high as 49 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday.
