MEXICO CITY (AP) – Torrential rains have led to significant disruptions at Mexico City’s main airport, forcing it to suspend flights for hours for the second consecutive day. This has resulted in chaos for travelers in one of the busiest airports in Latin America.
The recent flight disruptions are part of an unusual rainy season affecting the Mexican capital, which has experienced some of the heaviest downpours in years. Continuous heavy rainfall has resulted in significant flooding in various parts of the city, adding to the challenges faced by residents and travelers alike.
Early Tuesday, aeronautic authorities announced a suspension of all flights for at least four hours. While they were able to reopen one runway, the vast majority remained out of service, causing further delays. Reports indicate that around 20,000 passengers have been impacted due to flight cancellations, delays, and rerouting.
Travelers have expressed frustration over the ongoing flight issues. Alicia Nicanor, a 69-year-old passenger, described her experience of having her flight to the northern city of Tijuana canceled on Sunday. When she returned early Tuesday morning for another flight, it was also canceled. “I told them I have to go because I have an important appointment with my doctor, but they didn’t listen,” she lamented.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada reported that heavy rains on Sunday caused significant flooding in the city’s main plaza, known as the Zócalo. The area recorded more than 3 inches of rain in a short span of just 20 minutes, breaking a long-standing record set in 1952.
Videos emerging from the southern parts of the city depict cars floating on what were once streets, which have turned into flowing rivers due to the intense flooding. These images have even become the subject of internet memes, illustrating both the severity of the situation and the public's reaction to it.
The persistent flooding has prompted criticism from some residents who argue that these incidents reflect larger infrastructure failures within the city's government. Many are calling for improvements in the city's drainage and flood management systems to better handle such extreme weather events in the future.
As Mexico City continues to grapple with these severe weather challenges, the ongoing flooding serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by urban infrastructures in the face of climate change and unpredictable weather patterns.
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Martín Silva Rey, The Associated Press
