A veterinarian feeds a young howler monkey rescued amid extremely high temperatures in Tecolutilla, Tabasco state, Mexico, May 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Luis Sanchez)
The impacts on wildlife have shocked scientists, who reported more than 130 howler monkey deaths in the southeast jungles and higher bird mortality in the northern part of the country likely from heat and other factors.
With below-average rainfall throughout almost all of the country this year, lakes and dams are drying up and water supplies are running out.
Protests have multiplied. A group of police agents blocked six lanes of traffic Wednesday on a main Mexico City avenue, saying their barracks lacked water for a week and the bathrooms were unusable.
Authorities have had to truck in water for hospitals and to firefighting teams.
Low levels at hydroelectric dams have contributed to power blackouts in parts of the country, and this week the nation’s largest convenience stores chain — OXXO — said it was limiting purchases of ice to two or three bags per customer in some places.
A child covers his head with a bucket on a hot day in the Los Guandules neighborhood of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, May 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
The Mexican Weather Service forecasts another heat wave for June but it is expected to be shorter and not as severe as this one.
In Guatemala, the heat, coupled with forest fires, prompted authorities to take the unusual step of banning outdoor activities in the capital’s schools due to poor air quality.
Nearby nations including Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Dominican Republic and Haiti are also experiencing abnormally warm temperatures due to this area of high pressure.
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O’Malley reported from Philadelphia, Verza from Mexico City. Sonia Pérez D. contributed from Guatemala City.
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Publish date : 2024-05-23 03:00:00
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