Extreme Heat Has Killed more than 200 in Mexico since March

Mexico’s Ministry of Health has reported that the country has witnessed a concerning number of deaths due to extreme heat, with the death toll reaching 249 over the past four months. From March 19 to July 22, a hundred deaths were recorded in Nuevo León, 28 in Tamaulipas, 26 in Veracruz, and 26 in Sonora. The remaining deaths occurred in 12 other states.

In addition to the fatalities, the government also reported 3,169 “cases associated with extreme natural temperatures.” The relentless heat has been attributed to a weather event known as a “heat dome,” wherein a ridge of high-pressure traps warm air, resulting in scorching temperatures. Southern US states have also been experiencing similar conditions.

Late last month, certain Mexican states recorded temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit), reaching monthly or even all-time highs. This pattern has persisted into the current week, with at least two states, Baja California and Sonora, expecting temperatures to surpass 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit), and five other states anticipating temperatures ranging between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius.

Among the deaths, 157, or 63%, occurred during the “third heat wave” of the four waves expected for 2023, according to information from the Secretariat. The government data shows that 92.4% of the deaths were attributed to “heat stroke,” while the remaining deaths were caused by dehydration. During the period from July 16 to 22, the country reported 52 associated cases and four deaths nationwide.

Comparing these figures to the same period last year, the country recorded 282 cases associated with extreme natural temperatures and 38 deaths nationwide. Seven of these deaths were linked to the third heat wave and were notified late.

In response to the soaring temperatures, the government has issued recommendations to help citizens cope. They advise drinking at least two liters of bottled, boiled, or disinfected water frequently and avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun, particularly between 11 in the morning and three in the afternoon. The government also recommends wearing appropriate clothing, using sunscreen, and wearing caps or hats to shield against the intense heat.