Drought Kills Thousands of Fish in Mexico

Thousands of fish have died as a lake in northern Mexico partially dried up amid a severe heatwave sweeping the country. Local authorities reported that the water level in Lake Postileos was less than 50 percent of its normal level, resulting in pollutants becoming more concentrated and hazardous to the fish and marine life living there. In this context, Irma de la Peña Miraz, head of the environmental department in Cuauhtémoc, stated in a press release that as the water levels decrease, pollutants become more concentrated, affecting the species inhabiting the lake. Dead fish began accumulating in the cracked mud at the bottom of the lake over the past week, and a foul odor spread throughout the area as workers cleaned the decaying remains amid fears of disease outbreaks. Mexico is facing elevated temperatures, with dozens of cities, including the capital, Mexico City, breaking heat records. Health authorities have reported that 125 people have died during the current heat season that began in mid-March. As of May 31, moderate to severe or exceptional drought affected 89.58% of Mexican territory (around two million square kilometers), according to a map provided by the National Water Commission.