Mexico devastated by brutal tropical storms

Tropical Storm Manuel which tore into Acapulco in the South Western Mexican State of Guerrro, has now shifted its focus to the North Western State of Sinaloa. James Blears has the latest:

Listen:

Manuel strengthened from a tropical storm into a hurricane, but then reverted back, after it made landfall in Sinaloa. There have been evacuations of those living in low lying, exposed coastal areas. More than 100,000 people are affected, 40,000 of whom are without electricity in the city of Culiacan, and surrounding areas. A State of Emergency has been declared in Culiacan and in four other districts. Some flights out of Culiacan airport have been cancelled. But the airports of Mazatlan and Los Mochis are operating normally.


Elsewhere in Mexico, Tropical Storms Manuel and Ingrid have killed 97 people with more than 70 people missing after a mudslide engulfed the town of La Pintada in the lush coffee cultivation belt of Guerrero State. Rescue workers have so far recovered 15 bodies from the cloying mud.


Flooding and landslides have been the principal killers during days and nights of deluging rain. The financial cost runs into hundreds of millions. The damage to infrastructure, especially highwarys and bridges, is extensive.


And....Forcasters are now saying more stormy weather is on the way.

For Vatican Radio....James Blears reporting.