The Undersecretary of Civil Protection of Baja California Sur, Héctor Amparano Herrera, declared that after a recent social benefits program run by the Housing Institute (INVI), more than 45 thousand people were detected living in high-risk areas in the municipality of Los Cabos.
Dozens of homes built in areas of streams and stormwater channels in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo were discovered. The INVI has requested federal authorities for support to manage properties in favor of families settled in delimited spaces that represent a risk for their inhabitants.
The head of Civil Protection said that in collaboration with the state government they will extend the relocation plans for these people with the intention of protecting their integrity and minimizing the damage caused by natural disasters in the 2024 hurricane and tropical cyclone season.
“In Los Cabos we are doing some urgent relocations, for which the State Government and SEMARNAT have been doing other relocations with the issue of providing them with safe housing in areas that do not represent any risk. The INVI itself has this inventory of the people who are beneficiaries for the purpose of relocations, but we are talking about the fact that in Los Cabos there are more than 45 thousand people at high risk, it is not an easy task.”
According to the inventory of houses found in high-risk areas, it was determined to free them from any construction that obstructs the stream spaces and that represent a danger of flooding and severe damage to existing homes in these vulnerable spaces. Amparano Herrera said that this will strengthen prevention in case of any meteorological phenomenon that could threaten Los Cabos.
“At no time is it permitted to build on a federal riverbed, and especially with those most important streams that we find in the Los Cabos region. Many buildings and many alterations to the riverbeds, and that has forced us to carry out permanent operations to be in the dynamics of the rainy season and hurricanes in 2024.”
The relocation plan would be based on studies that identify the areas most prone to natural disasters. These areas include ravines, hillsides and low areas near rivers and streams. The homes located in these places will be relocated to safe and suitable places for families.
The representative of Civil Protection assured that the relocation will not only benefit the inhabitants of Los Cabos, but also tourism and the local economy. By guaranteeing the safety of residents, the image of the tourist destination will be strengthened and investment in this region will be encouraged.
Source: tribunademexico