Mexico, storm Polo becomes hurricane: alert for extreme rain and landslides

In Mexico, Storm Polo has developed into a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. According to models, it could rapidly intensify to category 5. The cyclone is located in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of the State of Guerrero, with strongly increasing winds. The alert remains active up to the coasts of Michoacán. Its passage will bring intense thunderstorms and waves up to four meters high. The National Weather Service estimates extreme rainfall on the coast.

Danger of landslides, overflows and floods

As reported by the National Water Commission, the rains could cause landslides and rise in river levels, as well as overflows and floods. As a precaution, the Civil Protection has suspended lessons in schools in Acapulco, Costa Chica and Costa Grande. The governor of Guerrero, Evelyn Salgado Pineda, reiterated the importance of the measure to avoid tragedies like that of Hurricane Otis in 2023. In light of the rapid intensification of the cyclone, the authorities invite the population to exercise maximum caution.