A blistering heat wave sweeping across Mexico has shattered temperature records in ten cities. The Mexico heat wave has been breaking records in the capital city, as well. The scorching conditions have led to widespread power outages and strained the nation’s power grid.

Mexico City is known for its moderate climate due to its high altitude. Temperatures there soared to 34.3 degrees Celsius (93.7 degrees Fahrenheit) on May 10. It surpassed the previous record set just a month ago by a tenth of a degree.

Meanwhile, neighboring Puebla saw temperatures reach 35.2 degrees Celsius, surpassing a record set back in 1947. In the northern city of Ciudad Victoria, temperatures reached an extreme 47.4 degrees Celsius. There, it broke the previous high set in 1998.

The intense heat has triggered blackouts lasting several hours in multiple regions, particularly in the northern areas of the country. In response to the soaring temperatures, schools were closed in the central state of San Luis Potosi. There, temperatures hit a staggering 50 degrees Celsius.

According to a report released by Mexico’s health ministry, seven heat-related deaths have been recorded since the start of the season in March up until May 4. This number could potentially rise following this week’s intense heat.

Experts attribute the unprecedented heat wave to human-induced climate change exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon. This phenomenon has been driving temperatures higher globally and resulting in deadly heat waves.

The electricity system regulator of Mexico issued multiple alerts this week. These alerts were due to excessive demand in various parts of the country exceeding supply. The blackouts prompted criticism from business chambers and sector analysts. They blamed the government for insufficient investments in energy infrastructure.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who is set to leave office in October, described the blackouts as “exceptional”. He assured the public that Mexico possesses adequate generation capacity to meet demand.

The Mexico heat wave came amid a severe drought gripping the city. This worsens the country’s water crisis and it into a pivotal issue ahead of the general elections in June. The combination of scorching temperatures, widespread blackouts, and the ongoing drought paints a grim picture of the challenges facing Mexico.

Also Read: El Nino Pattern To End By June, La Nina to Begin In Second Half Of 2024