As previously stated, residents of the El Moralillo neighborhood will maintain the blockade of the Tampico-Valles highway until authorities come up with a solution. More than 30 hours after the start of the demonstration, most of the vehicles waiting to be cleared are trailers and tractor-trailers.
A survey conducted tonight by EL SOL DE TAMPICO confirmed that very few motorists are in line, due to the fact that they have taken alternate routes such as the Tampico Bridge to reach the El Prieto Bridge and continue their journey.
Others have simply opted to stay at a hotel in the municipality of Tampico to take shelter while the situation in El Moralillo is resolved.
The demand remains the same: to drain the rainwater that has flooded a large section of this town on the border with Tampico.
Chronicle of the Tampico-Valles Highway Blockade on the Second Day
The roadblock began Sunday morning, and at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, they agreed to open it to allow stranded vehicles to pass, but it only lasted for two hours.
According to residents, a pump has arrived to remove water from the affected area, but they assured that they will maintain the roadblock until the situation is resolved.
Tampico Valles Protest
Demand to Activate Pumps to Drain Rainwater
During Monday morning, protesters blocking the Tampico-Valles Highway near El Moralillo pledged to partially open traffic for up to an hour, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., to allow vehicles that have been stranded since Sunday to clear the road.
The demand is for pumps to drain the accumulated rainwater in the neighborhood belonging to the municipality of Pánuco, in northern Veracruz, affecting access to southern Tamaulipas through Tampico.
Areas of El Moralillo are flooded
Several blocks of the El Moralillo neighborhood, located in the municipality of Pánuco, are under water due to the heavy rainfall recorded last week.
A survey conducted by El Sol de Tampico revealed damage to dozens of homes, where residents have lost virtually everything.
The blockade of the Tampico-Valles highway affects access to the Tampico area and has caused millions in losses due to stranded vehicles since yesterday.
Residents of Moralillo demand attention to flooding
Residents of El Moralillo report that, following the recent heavy rains and the overflowing of nearby bodies of water, many homes have been left underwater.
The blockade affects one of the main communication routes between northern Veracruz and southern Tamaulipas, a key route for commercial, work, school, and health activities. Those affected are not only the residents of Moralillo, but also truckers, business owners, agricultural workers, students, and sick people who need urgent transportation.
Producers and ranchers in the area have reported losses due to the inability to move produce and livestock, while local businesses suffer from a drastic drop in sales.
Added to this are the unforeseen expenses for those who need to continue their route: many motorists are choosing to bypass the area through the municipality of Pueblo Viejo, using the Tampico Bridge, which represents up to two additional toll booths and several more hours of travel.
Economic losses and detours affect thousands of users.
“We are spending more time and money commuting. There are people who couldn’t get to work, and sick people who haven’t been able to get to their medical appointments,” said one of the motorists trapped in the area.
Federal, state, and municipal governments are reinforcing actions in the Moralillo region in response to the flood emergency.
Although authorities have engaged in effective dialogue with the protesters, they remain unwilling to lift the blockade.
Navy, Conagua (National Water Commission), and Mexican Army personnel have been addressing the problem directly since last Saturday, deploying machinery to drain the water and providing assistance to affected families in the community.
The protesters assert that they will not lift the blockade despite receiving clear responses and concrete solutions from municipal authorities.
At the same time, citizens are urged to avoid traveling through the Moralillo area and take alternative routes while the Tampico-Valles highway is closed.
Source: oem
