Heavy rain accompanied by hail fell on the afternoon of Thursday, August 14, over the city of Puebla, with greater intensity in the northern area, including the Hermanos Serdán Stadium, the Maravillas neighborhood, and the Mexico City-Puebla Highway, where ice covered streets and sidewalks.
Rainfall also occurred in other areas such as the Historic Center, Avenida Juárez, the south of the capital, and the 10 de Mayo neighborhood, causing flooding and damage to main roads.
The hailstorm was particularly visible in the vicinity of the Hermanos Serdán Stadium and the stadium area, where streets were painted white due to ice accumulation. The Maravillas neighborhood was another area where heavy hail was reported.
On 5 de Mayo Boulevard and 9 Oriente Street, in front of IMSS Clinic 2, the water pressure caused several manhole covers to rise. A manhole collapsed at the intersection of Carril de La Rosa and Avenida Acueducto, as well as flooding of the latter road in the 10 de Mayo neighborhood, was also reported.
In the city center, the rain disrupted pedestrian and vehicular traffic. On Avenida Juárez, the constant rainfall reduced visibility and caused slow traffic. Strong winds were also reported in the southern part of the capital before the onset of the rain. So far, municipal authorities have not reported any major incidents resulting from the weather phenomenon.
During the morning, the Puebla City Council issued a precautionary alert warning of the likelihood of rain in the afternoon. The forecast from the National Water Commission and the National Meteorological Service called for a partly cloudy day with thunderstorms starting at 5:00 PM, along with a high of 24°C and a low of 13°C. Extreme UV radiation levels were also warned.
The Tlaloc Committee—made up of municipal, state, and federal agencies—reiterated its commitment to providing assistance during the rainy season and urged the public to take precautions, such as avoiding crossing areas with deep puddles and reducing speed while driving. Citizens can call 072 for weather-related reports or 911 in case of an emergency.
For the next few hours, the Secretariat of Urban Management and Development, through its Alerting and Information Department, reported that moderate to heavy rains are expected in various parts of Puebla. This phenomenon is part of the seasonal conditions and requires special attention from the public to prevent incidents.
According to the most recent meteorological analysis, the rains are expected to advance from north to south and be accompanied by wind gusts of up to 12 km/h. The peak period is expected between 10:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., so extreme caution is recommended, especially on roads prone to flooding or reduced visibility.
Regarding the capital’s waterways, the Alseseca and Atoyac rivers are currently between 30 and 25% full, while the Santuario and Puente Negro reservoirs are reporting levels between 20 and 30%. Although current conditions do not pose a risk, constant monitoring will be maintained to address any sudden increase due to accumulated rainfall.
Source: oem
