Vulnerable Communities Face Cyclone Threat in Felipe Carrillo Puerto

Residents of 40 communities in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, including fishing villages like Punta Herrero and María Elena, are facing vulnerabilities due to deteriorated roads, flooding, and a lack of cyclone shelters, according to local testimonies. The government has yet to address the urgent need for road rehabilitation, making these communities highly susceptible to cyclones.

For example, the Punta Herrero and María Elena communities, which rely heavily on fishing and community tourism, risk losing their primary sources of income if hit by a cyclone. The road from the municipal headquarters to the coast, approximately 60 kilometers away, becomes impassable with even the slightest rainfall. This poses a significant challenge for transportation and economic activities.

Meanwhile, communities in the Maya area like Xhazil Sur, San Andrés, Mixtequilla, and Naranjal Poniente are at risk from flooding, a recurring issue from 2020. These communities lack adequate cyclone shelters, leaving residents, including the elderly and children, exposed to potential disasters. Yaxchechal, for instance, has only a small classroom building as a shelter, insufficient for its population of 90 residents.

As a result, residents are increasingly concerned about their safety and the government's ability to provide adequate support, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure improvements and emergency preparedness in the region.