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http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/mexico-flooding-47110503As many as 1 million people have evacuated, and 500,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed in an epic flood in the Mexican state of Tabasco, the Los Angeles Times reports today.
President Felipe Calderon called the floods one of the worst natural catastrophes in Mexico's modern history, according to Reuters.
Efforts to hold back the sollen Grijalva River with sandbags proved unsuccessful last week, as heavy rains inundated the region.
The United Nations has warned that flooding, along with heat waves and other extreme weather events, are likely to become more frequent as global warming heats the earth's atmosphere. Warmer air can hold more moisture, and unleash it with more fury.
Save the Children is mobilizing staff and resources to assist children and families in the flood-devastated state of Tabasco, located on Mexico's southern Gulf coast. More than 1 million people have had their homes flooded, damaged or isolated by the rising waters, the result of heavy, weeklong rains that have pushed rivers out of their banks. About two-thirds of the state is under water, according to the state government, and some 300,000 people are still trapped in their homes. More than 300 schools and 100 health centers have been flooded.
Mexican authorities are calling this the worst natural disaster the country has seen.
"Save the Children is on the ground and moving quickly to assist families in Tabasco survive this crisis," said Ned Olney, associate vice president for the agency's global emergencies unit. "People are fleeing for their lives with little to carry them through the coming hours, days and weeks. Children are particularly at risk as they are caught up in the chaos of evacuation and the search for shelter on higher ground."
The state of Tabasco is still in the grip of the worst floods in its history. The authorities estimate that 90% of the capital of Tabasco has been flooded, affecting over a million people, causing damage to crops and devastating livelihoods. The Mexican Red Cross has launched a major operation, with some 6,000 volunteers working in different parts of the country to receive donations at collection points. In Tabasco itself, volunteers are participating in relief operations to rescue people stranded by the floodwaters, provide medical assistance and ambulance services, evacuate people and provide assistance to those housed in shelters. Some 56,000 families have received food parcels, each one containing food supplies to meet the needs of a family of five for a week. They were also given drinking water and clothing.
"The situation is very serious, but the Red Cross is doing an excellent job. The mobilization of volunteers, the degree of coordination and disaster preparedness and response were up to the standard required by the emergency," said Stephen McAndrew, Head of the International Federation's Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU), who is currently in Tabasco.
The Red Cross was quick to take action as soon as the emergency occurred, distributing 650 tonnes of relief supplies, mainly food parcels, clothing and water, to those affected by the floods. The National Humanitarian Aid Collection and Distribution Centre in the city of Toluca (Mexico) has over 350 tonnes of supplies ready to be shipped.
At least 500 private vehicles and vehicles belonging to the National Society, including heavy goods lorries, ambulances and four-wheel-drive vehicles, are participating in the operation. The water transport operation is being carried out in coordination with the local authorities, with the delivery of supplies to affected areas by boat. Twenty helicopters belonging to various government departments are also being used in the operation. Two of the helicopters are being directly coordinated by the Mexican Red Cross to carry out distribution and rescue operations.
The authorities have confirmed five deaths, although unofficial sources have said there could be as many as eight. Growing fears of crocodiles and plundering among the population were also reported.
The daily El Universal reported Monday that rescue teams in the outskirts of Tabasco capital Villahermosa found a 3-metre-long crocodile. There are fears that these animals, which normally live on river banks, may move into inhabited areas.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/thousands-stranded-in-mexican-floods/2007/11/05/1194117959825.htmlMEXICO CITY: Thousands of people were left stranded on their rooftops awaiting rescue or supplies of food and drinking water in the flood-stricken state of Tabasco in southern Mexico. The water level had started to fall slightly but the centre of Villahermosa, the state capital, remained several metres under water, the national water commission, Conagua, said.
About 80,000 people in 17 towns remained isolated by the floods, which have left 800,000 people homeless. Rumours circulated that crocodiles were prowling the murky waters.
Local media reported widespread ransacking of abandoned shops and homes in Villahermosa, despite stern warnings and arrests. Looters said they were stealing to feed their families. Outside the city rescue workers said it was difficult to reach flood victims because of a boat shortage, and there were few dry areas where helicopters could land.
The army evacuated 5000 people in a four-hour operation with 14 helicopters, police said, while trucks brought food and bottled water to some 600 overcrowded shelters struggling to provide enough meals and dry beds.
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