One person has died and another is missing after flash floods in the state of Chiapas in Mexico following heavy rain.

Search and Rescue operations are ongoing after floods in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico, 24 June 2023. Photo: Ayuntamiento Tuxtla Gutiérrez

Almost 150 mm of rain fell in the state capital Tuxtla Gutiérrez in 24 hours to 25 June 2023, according to figures from Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) in Mexico. The previous day heavy rain fell in areas north of the city, with Ostuacán recording over 100 mm in 24 hours to 24 June.

The heavy rain triggered severe flooding in the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez overnight 23 to 24 June 2023. Roads were swamped with flood water up to 1 metre deep in some areas, with dozens of homes inundated. The force of the floods left around 25 vehicles stranded. Local media reported at least 15 people had to be rescued, with some victims having to climb of the roofs of their vehicles for safety.

Civil Protection in Tuxtla Gutiérrez said teams found the body of a man a drainage channel in the Libramiento Norte area of the city.

The missing man was dragged into a sewer while helping to move a car trapped in flood waters on 24 June 2023. In a statement of 25 June, the city government said the search for the missing man is continuing and teams from Chiapas State government, firefighters, Civil Protection and the Red Cross are working in the area, concentrating in locations along the Sabinal River.

The city of Tapachula, in the southeast of the state, saw heavy rainfall and flooding on 21 June 2023. Landslides were also reported in the area. Around 30 homes were damaged. As much as 113.5 mm of rain fell in 24 hours.