Mexico's health ministry reports that at least 100 individuals have tragically lost their lives in the past two weeks due to heat-related causes, as soaring temperatures reached nearly 50°C (122°C) in certain regions of the country.
A prolonged three-week heat wave in June strained the energy grid, resulted in record-breaking demand, forced authorities to suspend classes in some areas, and left many Mexicans struggling with the sweltering heat.
The majority of the fatalities, over two-thirds, occurred during the week of June 18-24, with the remaining deaths recorded the previous week, as per the report by the health ministry on extreme temperatures. In stark contrast, only one heat-related fatality was reported during the same period last year.
Heat stroke accounted for nearly all of the deaths, with a few cases attributed to dehydration. Approximately 64% of the fatalities took place in the northern state of Nuevo Leon, which shares a border with Texas. The remaining deaths occurred primarily in the neighboring states of Tamaulipas and Veracruz along the Gulf Coast.
While recent days have brought some relief with the arrival of the rainy season and much-needed precipitation, certain northern cities continue to experience high temperatures. For instance, Aconchi, located in the state of Sonora, recorded scorching highs of 49°C (120°C) on Wednesday.
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