Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Cold front 18 continues to affect Cancun and Playa del Carmen with heavy rain and cool temperatures. The northern coastal region was soaked again Thursday after intermittent downpours that began in the afternoon continued throughout the night.
Authorities in the northern cities were out in the rain after main streets began to take on water. In Cancun, hundreds were left stranded in long lines at public bus stops due to the intense rain, flooded streets and slowed city service.
Long lines were seen as city buses ran slowly due to the sudden demand combined with flooded streets and reduced visibility.
A low pressure channel caused by the presence of Cold Front 18 continues to affect a large part of the Yucatan Peninsula. The northern municipalities of Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Holbox (Lázaro Cárdenas) and Playa del Carmen (Solidaridad) have been the hardest hit.
On the island of Isla Mujeres, areas left flooded were on Hidalgo Avenue and Rueda Medina, the main avenues. Standing water was also found at the height of the Fisherman’s Monument.
Due to the intense rain and flooding, authorities in Cancun announced an increase in Transit officers to help stranded drivers.
The Municipal Secretariat for Citizen Security, through the Traffic Department, reported a force of 28 operational elements in six pick-up units and seven motorcycle patrols to detect flooded points, faulty traffic lights, as well as to provide support to drivers.
Authorities from the Secretariat of Civil Protection, Risk Prevention and Firefighters, as well as Municipal Public Services, carried out tours in critical points of Playa del Carmen. The heavy downpours Thursday afternoon left several areas of PDC impassable.
Mayor Estefanía Mercado accompanied other city workers in a tour deployed to carry out drainage on streets and avenues particularly on Lilis and Constituyentes avenues, where the mayor noted not only the affectation by the heavy rains, but also the problem of street garbage that blocked the drains.
“We are a territorial government and we will work to return our roads to normal as soon as possible,” she said. The mayor, who was also accompanied by the director of the Fire Department, Yivi Méndez, reiterated the call to the population to work together and not throw garbage in the streets since that is the worst enemy of a city during rain.
According to Pablo Gutiérrez Fernández, the Cancun General Secretary of the City Council, approximately 91 mms or nearly 3.6 inches of rain fell “in a very short time” Thursday.
“A lot of water fell in a very short time, around 91 millimeters, but we are working with all the teams so that the water leaves the primary and secondary avenues as soon as possible,” he said. The cold front remains in the region and is expected to continue with the rain.
