climate
Dozens of deaths due to extreme heat in Mexico
A man walks through a street in Mexico City with empty water canisters. In 27 of the 32 states in Mexico, temperatures are more than 40 degrees. Photo
© Gerardo Vieyra/dpa
Heat stroke, dehydration, sunburn: the high temperatures are taking their toll on Mexicans. And the rain is slow to arrive.
Due to the extreme heat in In Mexico, 48 people have died within two months. Almost half of the deaths were registered in the last week alone, according to the Ministry of Health.
Since the start of the hot season in mid-March, a total of 956 people have been treated for heat stroke, dehydration and sunburn. Heat stroke was the most common cause of death.
Temperatures in 27 of the 32 states in the Latin American country are currently above 40 degrees. On Thursday, temperatures as high as 46 degrees were measured in the northern city of Monclova in the state of Coahuila. In addition, there has been less rain in large parts of the country than usual at this time of year.
Animals are also suffering from the extreme heat. According to environmental organizations, in the southern states of Tabasco and Chiapas, dozens of howler monkeys recently fell dead from trees or had to be treated for dehydration.