Mauricio Kuri González, governor of the state of Querétaro, reported this Friday morning that 147 homes were preliminarily reported to have been affected by the rains caused by Hurricane Priscilla in 121 locations across six municipalities, particularly in the mountainous area.
He also reported that so far, only one death has been recorded: six-year-old Mateo, who was crushed to death by thousands of tons of rock and mud from a landslide that occurred Thursday afternoon in the town of Agua Fría de Gudiño, in the Bucareli Delegation of the municipality of Pinar de Amoles.
Through a video posted on his official X platform account, the governor reported that 25 of the affected homes are in the municipality of Jalpan de Serra; seven in Arroyo Seco; nine in Landa de Matamoros; 20 in Pinal de Amoles, 10 in Peñamiller, and 50 in San Joaquín.
To assist the victims, the president added that seven shelters have been set up in coordination with the municipalities, providing food, medical care, and safe spaces.
“So far, 45 people have already made use of them. We reiterate to all families: don’t take risks; the shelters are open and ready to receive you with care and warmth. I have instructed my cabinet to conduct a house-to-house census starting today,” he stated.
He explained that rainfall in recent days reached 147 millimeters, equivalent to 15 percent of the total amount of water that falls for an entire year.
“Federal Highway 69 and State Highway 180 are already operating, although lane reductions have been made in some sections to ensure the safety of those traveling. Highway 120 has a landslide that is already being addressed to allow traffic to resume. We ask you to drive with caution and, if not necessary, avoid driving in the area,” he explained.
He acknowledged the willingness and support of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, with whom he said he has maintained communication to publicize the impacts, as well as the coordinated work being carried out for the benefit of the people of Querétaro.
“From the very beginning, we have worked in a coordinated manner across the three levels of government to address the emergency and provide support where it is most needed. I am incredibly grateful for the early morning call with the President today to coordinate our joint efforts. She is fully aware of the impacts in the Querétaro mountains, and, as always, I appreciate her support and willingness to address these contingencies and work as a team.”
She announced that as soon as the emergency is over, a “house-to-house census” will be conducted to understand people’s needs.
The heads of the Secretariats of Women, Culture, Sustainable Development, Agricultural Development, Planning and Citizen Participation, and other agencies will conduct the census.
Source: jornada
