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Flood: Mexico City airport suspend flights 

Mexico City’s Benito Juarez International Airport was forced to suspend operations for several hours on Sunday due to severe flooding and poor visibility caused by heavy rainfall.
The airport’s official social media account announced the suspension of landing and takeoff operations for three hours to allow for the removal of rainwater and restoration of operational capacity.
“Due to the heavy rainfall this afternoon and based on reports of low visibility, the aeronautical authority has ordered the suspension of landing and takeoff operations for the next 3 hours,” the airport’s official X account posted before 9:00 pm local time (0300 GMT).
“This will allow for the removal of rainwater that has caused flooding, enabling the restoration of operational capacity,” it said.
The airport, one of Latin America’s busiest, served 45.4 million passengers in 2024 and was severely impacted by the flooding.
At least 66 flights were diverted to alternative airports, including Aguascalientes and Querétaro, due to the temporary closure.
Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for updated flight information and avoid non-essential travel.
Major roads in Mexico City were flooded, with water reaching up to 50 centimeters (19 inches) in some areas.
The capital’s government activated a purple alert, the highest level, for the central area of the metropolis, which has over nine million inhabitants.
The National Water Commission forecasted rainfall levels reaching up to 75 millimeters, with storms expected to persist until late evening.
Mexico experiences major storms every year, usually between May and November.
In June, Hurricane Erick swept through southern Mexico, causing devastation and two deaths.
In October 2023, Hurricane Otis, a Category five storm, hit Acapulco, killing dozens of people.
AFP

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