Mexico City Invests MX$2.2 Billion in Flood Prevention Works

Following the heaviest rainfall in Mexico City in 34 years, Mayor Clara Brugada announced that her administration has allocated over MX$2.2 billion (US$119.4 million) during her first year in office to strengthen the city’s hydraulic systems, aiming to prevent and mitigate flooding.

An additional MX$1.5 billion (US$81.4 million) has been invested in operational equipment, while another MX$900 million (US$48.8 million) is planned for specialized gear and new works scheduled to begin in October and November.

Among the key projects, the government is building a regulating reservoir in Santa Maria Aztahuacan, Iztapalapa, aimed at reducing flood risks in the eastern boroughs. Since the beginning of the rainy season, MX$65 million (US$3.53 million) has also been directed to emergency support for affected families, in coordination with the federal government.

The most recent downpours affected at least 2,000 homes, prompting the establishment of 16 command centers that have provided nearly 14,000 food rations, medical care, and social assistance. Brugada emphasizes that further large-scale metropolitan projects are required in critical zones such as La Concordia, Los Reyes La Paz, and Avenida Texcoco to redirect excess water toward the Eastern Discharge Tunnel (TEO) or new reservoirs.

On Saturday, Mexico City registered 91mm of rainfall, equivalent to 31 million m³ of water, flooding neighborhoods in Iztapalapa and Tlahuac, including Ejercito de Oriente Zona Peñon, Desarrollo Urbano Quetzalcoatl, La Colmena, Santa María Aztahuacan, Unidad Habitacional Vicente Guerrero, and San Jose.

According to Brugada, the Tlaloque flood response program and recently acquired hydraulic equipment enabled authorities to eliminate 90% of the flooding within 24 hours, with full drainage achieved by early Monday.

Mario Esparza, Minister of Integrated Water Management, says that the city is advancing the Water Acupuncture program, which focuses on creating infiltration sites to recharge aquifers. Coordination with CONAGUA and the State of Mexico remains ongoing to promote regional hydraulic projects that will strengthen long-term water resilience across the metropolitan area.