Mexico pounded by tropical storm

(Vatican Radio) Mexico is being pounded by a massive Tropical storm on its Western coast, and will soon suffer yet more, when a Hurricane slams into to it from the East. More than 20 people have already died in floods and landslides.

Weather forcasters say this double climatic hit has never happened before. To the south west, Tropical Storm Manuel is dumping belts of torrential rain and lashing the coastal area with high winds. The international vacation resort of Acapulco has been particularly badly hit. More than 20,000 homes in the area currently have no electricity. The States of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Puebla are affected.


In Tamaulipas State, North East Mexico, Hurricane Ingrid is due to make landfall later today. The cities of Tampico, Madero and Altimira which are currently within its reach, have cancelled Mexican Indepdence Day Celebrations and are battening down, bracing themselves for its full force.

Thousands in both regions have been evacuated, especially from low lying areas and are in emergency shelters, waiting for the worst to pass...hoping they have homes to return to. Listen to this report by James Blears