Extreme temperature kills 112 people in Mexico since March

Friday, June 30, 2023

Mexico has experienced a tragic toll due to extreme temperatures, with at least 112 deaths reported since March, according to the country’s health secretariat.

The state of Nuevo León has been hit the hardest, recording 64 deaths, while other fatalities were reported across several states including Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Sonora, and Campeche. Additionally, over 1,559 people sought medical treatment for temperature-related problems during the same period.

The past 10 days have witnessed record-breaking temperatures in Mexico, with some areas reaching monthly or even all-time high temperatures of over 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). Tamaulipas, in particular, declared dozens of deaths due to the ongoing heatwave, prompting the governor to establish a working group to develop a response plan.

The scorching temperatures in Mexico and the southern states of the US can be attributed to a “heat dome,” which occurs when a high-pressure ridge forms, trapping warm air and leading to uncomfortably hot or even dangerous conditions. Unfortunately, such heat domes are expected to become more frequent and hotter due to the climate crisis.

Authorities have been urging people to take precautions, advising them to avoid prolonged sun exposure and seek cool, well-ventilated areas. The alarming number of deaths and medical cases underscores the urgent need for increased awareness, preparedness, and efforts to address the escalating impacts of extreme heat events linked to climate change in the region.

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