At least five fatalities have been reported in coastal villages of Mexico following the passage of cyclone Simon and tropical storm Rachel along the Pacific coast, according to authorities' statements on Monday.
Forecasters predict a particularly intense hurricane season this year, largely attributed to the El Niño phenomenon. The season's severity has been underscored by the loss of life resulting from two recent storms: Simon, which claimed a 71-year-old man, and Rachel, which resulted in the deaths of four family members, including two children.
The remains of four individuals were discovered in the outskirts of Ensenada, a city located in the state of Baja California, which is characterized by limited economic resources and rural development.
Security forces, assisted by helicopter support, successfully rescued 32 individuals who were missing in the region, while five others remain unaccounted for.
Hurricane Simon ultimately spared coastal areas from severe damage, failing to make landfall as initially anticipated.
A team from AFP is currently in Puerto Vallarta, a popular tourist destination in Jalisco, Mexico, where Hurricane Simón was initially forecast to make landfall as a major storm. However, the hurricane has begun to dissipate and is now moving away from the Mexican coast, with clear skies and a rainbow visible in the area.
A category 2 hurricane, classified on the Saffir Simpson scale, is currently bearing winds of 155 km/h, as per the latest available data. Although the storm has moved inland, officials continue to monitor the situation closely due to the potential for significant rainfall and forecasted waves of up to five meters in certain coastal villages.
According to the U.S. Hurricane Agency, a landfall is forecasted to occur in Sinaloa on Wednesday, with the event anticipated to take place slightly north of the previously predicted location.
Heavy rainfall caused by Storm Simón resulted in severe weather conditions in the Mexican states of Jalisco and Guerrero, leading to a fatality in the region. According to Governor Evelyn Salgado, a 71-year-old man lost his life due to a landslide, which occurred in the area.
The Acapulco resort, a well-known destination, experienced flooding in recent days.
Civil Protection reports that areas near rivers and streams that experienced heightened water levels also faced flooding and inundation in neighboring Pacific states, including Michoacán and Colima.
Residents of Vallarta engaged in outdoor exercise along the city's waterfront promenade despite strong waves crashing against the shore.
Magda Flores, 55, expressed a sense of calm and optimism, stating that she believed the closed businesses would soon resume operations.
This year has seen a significant rebound in economic activity for Puerto Vallarta, which had previously experienced a downturn following a violent incident in February. The city's trade sector is now on the path to recovery, with this year described as "very strong" in terms of economic growth.
A child is not a weather-related term, it seems more likely that the passage is referring to the El Niño phenomenon. The El Niño event warms the waters of the Pacific Ocean, thereby fostering the development of intense cyclones.
A cyclone named Isaías made landfall on the U.S. coast of the Gulf of Mexico on October 9, resulting in at least four fatalities.
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