Extreme Heatwave Exposes Submerged Church and Triggers Water Shortages in Mexico Joanna Adhem - EuroNews
go to original June 21, 2023

The 16th-century Dominican Temple of Quechula is located in the state of Chiapas. The Roman Catholic construction had been mostly submerged when a dam was built on the Grijalva River. Tourists used to arrive by boat to visit the partially submerged church.

However, high temperatures and the absence of rain, which have claimed eight lives across Mexico in the past week, have completely exposed the structure. Visitors now arrive at its doors in cars and on motorcycles.

"It's very beautiful and impressive to see that the small church still exists after so many years," says José Eduardo Zea, who visited the temple on his motorcycle with a friend.

The low water level in the reservoir is starting to affect the local fishermen, who also engage in tilapia fish farming.

"About five months ago, the water started to recede excessively, going beyond the normal levels," says Darinel Gutiérrez, a fisherman in the area. "How am I supposed to support my family? Right now, I have nothing."

"When it rains, even hills collapse, but right now, there's nothing," adds Dagoberto Gómez, who is also involved in tilapia farming.

The heatwave affecting Mexico is not exclusive to Chiapas. Other regions of the country, such as Yucatán in the south and Nuevo León in the north, have recorded temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.

Even in Mexico City, where the climate is milder, the temperature has reached 35 degrees in the past week.

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