Mexico storms leave trail of destruction

Mexico City. Mexican authorities have declared a state of emergency in more than 20 towns in eastern Tamaulipas state after Tropical Storm Ingrid hit the area.The government has also allocated emergency funds to western Guerrero state, where Tropical Storm Manuel caused severe flooding.The two almost simultaneous storms have affected two-thirds of the country, said Interior Minister Osorio Chong.At least 42 people have died in flooding and landslides.Tropical Storm Manuel made landfall on Sunday near the port of Manzanillo, on Mexico’s Pacific coast.It caused devastation in the resort town of Acapulco, where at least 21 people were killed in flash floods and landslides. Six members of one family were buried in their home on the outskirts of Acapulco when it collapses under a mudslide.Four thousand people are still in shelters. Mayor Luis Walton said 40,000 tourists were stranded in the city as the airport is still closed after a power cut and two main highways leading out of the city remain flooded. President Enrique Pena Nieto flew over the area on Monday and said he would “arrange for government funds to help”.State Governor Angel Aguirre said he was organising an air lift to transport goods to the city and get trapped tourists out.Manuel dissipated over south-western Mexico on Monday.But residents of eastern Mexico were hit by Hurricane Ingrid, which was downgraded to a tropical storm shortly before it made landfall on Monday morning near the town of La Pesca.More than 20,000 people were evacuated in the state of Veracruz. Twelve people died when a landslide near the town of Altotonga buried workers trying to clear a road from debris and passengers waiting in a bus to pass. At least 20 highways and 12 bridges were damaged, according to Veracruz’s civil protection authority. Residents living along the river Panuco have been evacuated as it is feared it could break its banks later on Tuesday.Agencies.