Mexico: Mexican soldiers and rescue workers on Thursday scrambled toclearupthe chaos and devastation wrought byHurricaneOtisin Acapulco as the government worked to bring relief to the battered southern beach resort.
Otison Wednesday slammed into Acapulco in the stateofGuerrero as oneofthe strongesthurricanesto ever hitMexico’s Pacific coast, flooding streets, ripping roofs off homes and hotels, and severing communications, road and air access.
The toll remains unclear: downed phone service and electricity lines have made it hard for officials to assess the extentofthedamage, with no immediate reportsoffatalities asofWednesday evening.
Nearly 8,400 membersofMexico’s army, air force and national guard were deployed in and near Acapulco to assist in cleanup efforts, the defense ministry said.
Nearly 8,400 membersofMexico’s army, air force and national guard were deployed in and near Acapulco to assist in cleanup efforts, the defense ministry said.
“The full extentofthe wind, storm surge and rainfalldamagein Guerrero will emerge over the coming days,” Moody’s Risk Management Solutions said in a note.
Mexico’s state power utility CFE had over 1,300 employees working to restore power, it said on Wednesday evening, when some 300,000 people remained without electricity.
The main highway connecting Acapulco withMexicoCity was expected to be fully open by midday, Deputy Transportation Minister Rogelio Jimenez Pons told reporters, noting the impactofmudslides.
The port city’s international airport was closed, afterOtiswrecked the control tower, cut telecommunications, and left access roads blocked.
“Now a Category 5hurricanein Acapulco takes us by surprise,” Jimenez Pons said. “It’s unprecedented.”
(Published 26 October 2023, 09:48 IST)