Chetumal Needs 500M Pesos for Flood Control

Chetumal, Mexico — A new study has identified a need for a 500 million peso investment to construct five major drainage collectors in flood-prone zones of Chetumal. The finding comes from a joint project between the Comisión de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado (CAPA) and the firm Innovación y Estrategias para el Desarrollo (INED).

Study Reveals New Risk Zones

Hugo Federico Garza Sáenz, the director of CAPA, announced the required investment following the recent study and monitoring of neighborhoods, streets, and avenues with the highest probability of flooding and water accumulation in the municipality of Othón P. Blanco. The study was initiated because the state of Quintana Roo had not conducted a new study to identify risk zones in Othón P. Blanco since 2007 and 2011, with the publication of its last Risk Atlas.

The CAPA director stated that the project with INED revealed Chetumal now has new risk zones that were not effectively addressed by authorities during past administrations. This failure, he noted, has been reflected in the most recent floods that have occurred in the city.

112 Neighborhoods Identified as Prone to Flooding

The results of the study identified at least 112 neighborhoods in the city that are prone to flooding. Among these, 41 localities were highlighted as having a higher possibility of risk due to water accumulation and slow drainage.

The neighborhoods specifically highlighted include Adolfo López Mateos, the city Center, Proterritorio, Barrio Bravo, Plutarco Elías Calles, Venustiano Carranza, 8 de Octubre, and Arboledas, among others.

Specific Locations for Proposed Collectors

Garza Sáenz stated that the investment of at least 500 million pesos is required to build five large-scale collectors in the areas of Nachan Kaan, Venustiano Carranza, Arboledas, Maxuxac, and Payo Obispo and Constituyente. These areas and stretches of road are mostly close to one another and already show visible damage from rain.

Regarding the next steps, the director of CAPA said that work is currently underway to present the project and secure the funding. "We need 500 million pesos and we will see which budget we take it from. The first step was to find out where it hurt Chetumal, to see where the problem of the flood zones is," stated Garza Sáenz.

Finally, the CAPA director emphasized the need to carry out these activities as soon as possible. He noted that over the years, the flooding problem has been exacerbated by climate change and other factors that could endanger urban infrastructure, as well as new initiatives for citizens such as the implementation of the new public transportation system.