Mexico Governor Inaugurates Tunnel to Combat Flooding in State of Mexico

A significant hydraulic infrastructure project, the Churubusco-Xochiaca Tunnel, was symbolically inaugurated by the Governor of the State of Mexico, Delfina Gómez Álvarez, and the National Water Commission (Conagua) director, Efraín Morales López. This new tunnel is designed to substantially reduce the risk of flooding for more than a million inhabitants across multiple municipalities and the Iztapalapa borough of Mexico City.

The project is a key component of the Integral Plan for the Eastern State of Mexico, an initiative championed by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. The tunnel's primary function is to channel rainwater towards the Churubusco-Xochiaca lagoon. This process prevents the over-saturation of the local drainage system and mitigates the impact of extraordinary rainfall events, thereby enhancing protection for vulnerable areas.

Governor Gómez highlighted the project's broader benefits, stating it not only addresses flood concerns in Nezahualcóyotl and Los Reyes La Paz but also stimulated job creation and economic activity. She expressed gratitude to the federal government for its support, emphasizing the collaborative effort that made the R$450 million investment possible. The joint funding came from the federal government, the State of Mexico, and the municipality of Nezahualcóyotl.

Efraín Morales López provided technical details, explaining that the infrastructure includes a 2.44-meter diameter collector and a five-meter diameter tunnel. It is equipped with eight pumps capable of discharging 16,000 liters of water per second. These specifications significantly bolster the region's capacity to handle intense rainfall and improve flood defenses in one of the country's most vulnerable areas.