Seema Khaneja MD
Updated on: October 11, 2024 3:52 pm GMT
Residents of Chalco, a low-income suburb southeast of Mexico City, are grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding that has left their homes inundated with black sewage water for over a month. The situation has crept into daily life, affecting not only their living conditions but also their health, work, and education. As the community seeks solutions, officials face criticism for their response to the crisis.
Severe Flooding Affects Thousands
The flooding in Chalco has reached unprecedented levels, with water as deep as five feet in some areas. According to the local government, more than 2,000 homes and over 7,000 residents have been affected by the disaster. Juana Salazar Segundo, 56, can attest to the severity of the situation. She recalls how floodwaters once reached her belly button and now only reach her ankles as she works tirelessly to pump the water out of her home. The once vividly white walls of her residence are now marred with black stains, and the air carries the unpleasant odor of sewage.
Over the past few weeks, Salazar has had to rely on four pumps running continuously to manage the situation. Her family’s routine has been shattered; her daughter cannot take her child to school due to the conditions. “Day and night we couldn’t sleep, the water just rose and rose,” Salazar lamented. She expressed her frustration regarding the collapse of the drainage systems that her community has faced. “I haven’t been able to work because I have to take care of my things,” she said, underscoring the ramifications of the flooding.
Infrastructure and Urbanization Challenges
The flooding crisis in Chalco has roots in both environmental and infrastructural issues. Omar Arellano-Aguilar, a biologist and expert in environmental toxicology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, noted that the area has been vulnerable to flooding due to inadequate drainage systems and the geological makeup of the land. Chalco has seen significant urban growth over the past 50 years, yet it still lacks the necessary infrastructure for a city of its size.
With a population exceeding 400,000, Chalco is among the largest municipalities in the State of Mexico. Despite this, it faces challenges related to basic services such as water supply and electricity. As the crises mount, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has faced criticism for downplaying the situation. During a recent press briefing, he asserted that local authorities were managing the crisis effectively and deflected calls for immediate personal engagement in the area.
Community Resilience Amidst Despair
The local government has mobilized resources to address the flooding, employing large pumps to remove the inundated water and providing residents with vaccinations and clean drinking water. Nevertheless, residents express their dissatisfaction with the assistance received. Oscar Martínez Hinojosa, 49, indicated that the government provided inadequate support in terms of protective clothing and food. Like many neighbors, he has had to adapt by using makeshift means to protect his family’s living space from the encroaching water.
Health risks are prevalent, with residents reporting various ailments linked to prolonged exposure to contaminated water. Guadalupe Sarai Islas García, 32, shared her concerns regarding her baby’s health, who suffered from gastrointestinal issues during the flooding. In light of these challenges, many families have sought refuge with relatives in nearby neighborhoods or rented temporary accommodations to escape the contaminated environment.
Efforts to Restore Normalcy
Authorities have indicated signs of progress in relief efforts. As of last weekend, officials reported the removal of over 264 million gallons of water and the extraction of 245 tons of silt from the affected areas. Streets labeled as flooded have been redrawn as municipal teams focus on cleaning and disinfecting them. Maria Luisa Molina Avila, principal of a local primary school, expressed optimism about improvements made to the school’s grounds after flood damage caused a two-week delay in the academic calendar. “Fortunately many of the streets are now dry,” she remarked, reflecting a sense of relief among parents and students alike.
Even as improvements unfold, anxiety remains among residents like Salazar, who gathered for a neighborhood meeting to discuss drainage repairs. Frustrations surfaced as residents called for quicker action, especially with the possibility of upcoming rain exacerbating the situation. “Where’s the solution to this?” one attendee demanded, illustrating the continued unease that is prevalent in the community.
The Need for Sustainable Solutions
Experts emphasize that addressing the flooding issue in Chalco requires a multifaceted approach. Arellano-Aguilar contends that retroactive fixes may not contribute to long-term stability in the face of ongoing subsidence in the area. Stakeholders must not only invest in improved drainage systems but also develop strategies to manage stormwater sustainably, particularly considering the basin’s geological characteristics that make it prone to flooding.
The rain keeps threatening the people of Chalco, and they feel worried about what might happen next. They are waiting for good answers to stop flooding from happening again. This situation shows that there are big problems with how the city is planned, and it reminds us how important it is to take steps to protect neighborhoods that are at risk.
