The severe drought, heatwave, and water shortages in Mexico have reached such a critical level that even police officers are taking to the streets to protest. Residents in some Mexico City neighborhoods have resorted to forming human chains to block traffic and demand access to water. In one upscale neighborhood, complaints about contaminated water led to a weeks-long crisis. The situation has become so dire that police officers, who are usually tasked with redirecting traffic, have themselves blocked six lanes of traffic near the capital’s Independence Monument to protest the lack of water in their barracks. Some officers expressed concerns about intolerable conditions, including not having access to water in bathrooms.
The shortage of water has exacerbated existing tensions between police officers and their supervisors, who have access to water in their offices while the officers do not. The lack of solutions from higher-ups has pushed police officers to take matters into their own hands by staging protests. With record temperatures and a severe drought affecting the country, many buildings in Mexico City are reliant on water brought in by tanker trucks, which have been in short supply and expensive. Nearly 85 percent of the country was expected to experience temperatures of at least 104 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday, with about a third reaching 113 degrees or more.
As the water crisis intensifies, almost 40% of the country’s dams are below 20% capacity, while another 40% are between 20 and 50% full. Mexico City has been forced to reduce water supplies due to drying reservoirs, leading to shortages even in stores where mineral water is running out. Nationwide, authorities have had to resort to trucking in water for essential services like hospitals and fire-fighting teams. The low levels at hydroelectric dams have contributed to power blackouts in some parts of the country, adding to the challenges faced by residents. The situation has prompted some businesses, like the OXXO convenience store chain, to limit purchases of ice to just two or three bags per customer in certain locations.
In the Gulf coast state of Tabasco, the extreme heatwave has had devastating effects on wildlife, with howler monkeys falling from trees due to apparent heat stroke. More than 130 of these midsize primates have been found dead in Tabasco since mid-May, according to a conservation group. The impact of the heatwave on the environment and wildlife highlights the urgency of addressing the water shortages and extreme weather conditions in Mexico. With the country facing a multifaceted crisis of drought, heatwave, and water shortages, the government and authorities must take swift and effective action to ensure access to essential resources and mitigate the impact on the population and the environment.
