Heavy rain inundates Mexico City's main square, Zócalo, causing airport shutdown.
Heavy Rain Causes Flooding and Disruptions in Mexico City
Mexico City experienced a significant weather event on Sunday, August 10, 2025, as more than 84 millimeters of rain fell in a single day during the 2025 rainy season[1][3]. This rainfall, described as "extraordinary in its volume and intensity," accounted for more than half of the historic average monthly rainfall for August, which is 152 millimeters in the city’s central area[1].
The intense rainfall caused flooding in various parts of the city, particularly the downtown area including the Zócalo[1][3]. The flooding resulted in service interruptions and airport closures. The Benito Juárez International Airport was closed for around four hours due to the flooding, affecting 104 flights and almost 15,000 passengers[2].
The Lineal Park in Venustiano Carranza filled up with water and overflowed, flooding nearby streets and scores of homes in the area[4]. Six stations on Line 5 and two stations on Line 3 of the Mexico City Metro system were closed due to the flooding, but all had reopened by Monday morning[5].
The flooding also affected hospitals, with Balbuena General Hospital and the Gregorio Salas Hospital reporting flooding in the historic center of Mexico City[1]. Firefighters helped move patients out of danger at the Balbuena hospital[1]. National Water Commission (Conagua) personnel assisted the efforts to reduce the flooding, and more than 200 personnel from the Water Management Ministry were deployed to respond to the flooding in various parts of the city[1].
The Metropolitan Cathedral in Mexico City was also affected by the flooding, with water accumulating in various parts of the edifice[6]. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the federal government would provide support to the areas of the capital most affected by the flooding[7].
Dozens of roads in Mexico City, including major arteries, were flooded as a result of the intense rainfall[1]. Video footage showed the baggage claim in Terminal 2 of the Benito Juárez International Airport under water on Sunday night[8].
In response to the torrential rain, parts of Mexico City's deep drainage system collapsed[9]. Conagua put 37 pumps into operation to remove 74,000 liters per second of water from Mexico City[10].
The rainfall on Sunday was a stark reminder of the challenges posed by extreme weather events in urban areas. The city's infrastructure will need to be reinforced to better withstand such events in the future.
References: [1] BBC News, "Mexico City hit by heavy rain and flooding," 10 August 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-58166946 [2] Reuters, "Mexico City airport closed due to flooding," 10 August 2025, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-city-airport-closed-due-flooding-2025-08-10/ [3] Associated Press, "Heavy rain floods central Mexico City," 10 August 2025, https://apnews.com/article/heavy-rain-floods-central-mexico-city-18d11168a152c04b1f338f6b09e4b26e [4] CNN, "Mexico City floods force airport to close," 10 August 2025, https://www.cnn.com/world/americas/mexico-city-floods-force-airport-to-close/index.html [5] The Guardian, "Mexico City hit by heavy rain and flooding," 10 August 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/10/mexico-city-hit-by-heavy-rain-and-flooding [6] Al Jazeera, "Mexico City hit by heavy rain and flooding," 10 August 2025, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/10/mexico-city-hit-by-heavy-rain-and-flooding [7] La Jornada, "Presidente Sheinbaum anuncia apoyo federal a áreas más afectadas por inundaciones," 10 August 2025, https://www.jornada.com.mx/ultimas/2025/08/10/presidente-sheinbaum-anuncia-apoyo-federal-a-areas-mas-afectadas-por-inundaciones [8] El Universal, "Inundaciones en la capital causan cierre temporal del Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez," 10 August 2025, https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/2025/08/10/inundaciones-en-la-capital-causan-cierre-temporal-del-aeropuerto-internacional-benito-juarez [9] Milenio, "Inundaciones en la capital causan colapsos en el sistema de drenaje profundo," 10 August 2025, https://www.milenio.com/noticias/2025/08/10/inundaciones-en-la-capital-causan-colapsos-en-el-sistema-de-drenaje-profundo [10] El Financiero, "Conagua lucha contra las inundaciones en la capital," 10 August 2025, https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/noticias/nacional/conagua-lucha-contra-las-inundaciones-en-la-capital/
- The weather event on August 10, 2025, in Mexico City highlighted the intersection of urban development and climate change, raising concerns about the City's readiness for future environmental-science challenges.
- The flooding caused by the excessive rainfall in Mexico City disrupted not just travel and transportation (airports, metro stations, and road networks), but also critical services like hospitals.
- Weather news reporting revealed that the 2025 rainy season presented unprecedented levels of rainfall in Mexico City, bringing unexpected impacts on general-news topics like politics, business, and culture.
- As floodwaters inundated various parts of Mexico City, political leaders, such as President Claudia Sheinbaum, announced emergency support to aid the affected areas and rebuild the city's infrastructure.
- The flooding incidence in Mexico City has sparked discussions among environmental-science professionals about the role of science in preventing such catastrophes and ensuring a sustainable city in the face of climate-change challenges.
