Mexico’s health ministry reported that the country’s third heatwave since mid-April has resulted in eight fatalities.
This week, temperatures in Mexico City soared to an all-time high of 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit). The ministry disclosed that between April 14 and June 12, seven people succumbed to heatstroke, while one died due to dehydration.
In Monterrey, a northeastern city, temperatures climbed above 40 degrees, triggering power outages due to the increased demand for electricity, including air conditioning. This situation, compounded by lower water pressure in residences, has heightened the distress of the city’s inhabitants.
Monterrey resident, Wendy Tijerina, shared with AFP that the city’s heat intensity is augmented by its position in an industrial zone. She voiced concerns about water scarcity, the inability to use fans due to power cuts, and her family’s increased efforts to consume sufficient water to ward off heatstroke.
The Nuevo Leon state government, which Monterrey is part of, has restricted school attendance to two hours daily to minimize sun exposure for children.
In the wake of last year’s heatwave and lack of rainfall leading to diminished reservoir levels, parts of Mexico declared a drought emergency. Some cities, including Monterrey, had to restrict households’ access to running water to a few hours daily for several weeks.
