Ten cities in Mexico, including Mexico City and Puebla, have experienced record-high temperatures amidst a searing heat wave that has led to blackouts and strained the power grid. In the capital of Mexico City, temperatures reached 34.3 degrees Celsius, breaking the previous record set just a month ago. In San Luis Potosí, several deaths have been reported due to heat stroke, and over 40 people have been hospitalized.
Ciudad Victoria in Tamaulipas faced a staggering temperature of 47.4 degrees Celsius, breaking the previous high set in 1998. The heat wave also caused blackouts in some areas of Mexico, leading to class suspensions in San Luis Potosi, where temperatures reached 50 degrees Celsius this week.
The health ministry in Mexico reported seven heat-related deaths between March and early May, with expectations of more fatalities following this week’s extreme temperatures. The intensity of this heatwave has been linked to human-caused climate change and El Niño, which have been driving up global temperatures and causing deadly heat waves.
The electricity system regulator in Mexico issued alerts due to high demand exceeding supply, prompting criticism and accusations of inadequate investment in energy transmission networks. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador described the blackouts as “exceptional” and assured that Mexico has sufficient generation capacity to meet energy demands.
The heatwave coincides with a severe drought nationwide, exacerbating the water crisis in Mexico and making water a key issue in the upcoming June elections.
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