Heavy rains cause flooding in Comondú, Baja California Sur, forcing schools to close

Heavy rain caused flooding and rising streams in Comondú and La Paz, prompting authorities to suspend classes in Ciudad Constitución on Wednesday.

Comondú Mayor Roberto Pantoja Castro said several neighborhoods flooded during Tuesday afternoon and night. The rain fell heavily and caused streams to rise within minutes, while power and telephone services experienced failures.

Authorities suspended classes for both shifts and all educational levels in Ciudad Constitución, the municipal seat of Comondú. The State Civil Protection Council said the Municipal Civil Protection Council requested the measure after assessing damage and possible risks to students, teachers and school staff.

Municipal crews and authorities toured affected neighborhoods to address the damage. In La Paz, rain of varying intensity caused runoff, flooding in some sectors and intermittent services. Acting Mayor Amor Fenech Montaño said 30.6 millimeters of rain fell Tuesday afternoon, affecting roads, and crews were working Wednesday to restore routes and remove debris.

The suspension applied only to Ciudad Constitución. Schools in La Paz, Los Cabos, Loreto and Mulegé continued operating normally at that time. Government Undersecretary Claudia Elena Meza de la Toba said officials had met with the National Water Commission and recalled that seasonal rain and tropical cyclones would continue affecting Baja California Sur. She said the storm Marie, located 695 kilometers west-southwest of Jalisco, would bring more moisture and rain, although no direct path toward the state had been identified.