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26-10-2023
MEXICO CITY: Hurricane Otis, an “extremely dangerous” category five storm, has made landfall in southern Mexico, US meteorologists say.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Otis touched down near the popular Acapulco resort just after midnight on Wednesday (06:25 GMT).
The storm’s winds are forecast to reach 165mph (270km/h).
The NHC warned of “destructive waves” and heavy flooding in coastal areas, including Acapulco.
A hurricane warning is in effect for a 350km-long stretch of coastline between the coastal towns of Zihuatanejo and Punta Maldonado in the state of Guerrero.
“A potentially catastrophic storm surge is expected to produce life-threatening coastal flooding near and to the east of where the centre makes landfall,” the NHC said.
“Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.”
It added that Otis was expected to produce up to 20in (51cm) of rainfall on Friday across Guerrero and western coastal areas of the neighboring Oaxaca state.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador urged people to move to emergency shelters and away from rivers, streams and ravines.
Ahead of the hurricane’s arrival, Guerrero’s authorities have been preparing emergency shelters.
School classes across the state have also been cancelled.
In Acapulco, soldiers have been patrolling the beach area.
Parts of Mexico’s Pacific coastline have already seen significant flooding earlier this month after Tropical Storm Max hit. Local media reported two deaths as a result of the storm in Guerrero.
A few days later, one man was reported killed after powerful Hurricane Lidia made landfall in the state of Nayarit, north-west of Guerrero.
The National Hurricane Center has warned of flooding and landslides as Hurricane Otis makes landfall in Mexico’s Acapulco.
Otis is expected to bring heavy rainfall to Guerrero, with five to 10 inches of rain forecast, raising the threat of landslides and floods.
“Damaging hurricane-force winds are spreading inland along with heavy rainfall. This rainfall will produce flash and urban flooding along with mudslides in higher terrain,” the hurricane center said. (Int’l News Desk)
