(CNN Spanish) — Hurricane Otis is rapidly intensifying as it moves toward the southern Mexican state of Guerrero, where officials canceled classes at all levels before making landfall this Wednesday, according to the latest forecast. US National Hurricane Center (NHC).
In just six hours, Otis strengthened from a tropical storm this Tuesday to a Category 4 hurricane, considered “very dangerous,” and is expected to make landfall as a Category 5, the NHC said in its latest update.
As of Tuesday night, Otis was 130 km southwest of Punta Maldonado and 135 km south southeast of Guerrero, Acapulco, with sustained winds of 230 km/h and moving north-northwest at 13 km/h. A recent report from Mexico’s National Meteorological Service (SMN).
Where does Otis cross the shore?
Trajectory monitoring indicates that Otis will make landfall between 4:00 and 6:00 west of Acapulco this Wednesday, SMN’s general coordinator, Alejandra Margarita Méndez, said this Tuesday in a press conference.
In addition, he warned that the dangerous quadrants of this typhoon will be over the municipalities of Deccan de Galiana and Acapulco. After triggering the landslide, the system will remain in Guerrero state for 48 hours, the official added.
Several warnings and cautions are in effect for the southern coast of Mexico. According to the SMN, a hurricane warning has been issued for Punta Maldonado westward to Zihuatanejo, including Acapulco, while a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch are in effect from Lagunas de Chacahua to Punta Maldonado.
SMN warned that rains brought by Otis will affect several states of the country:
- Rainfall in Guerrero (150 to 250 mm)
- Oaxaca will record heavy rainfall (75 to 150 mm).
- Heavy rain (25 to 50 mm) in Mexico State, Morelos and Puebla
- Rain will fall in the Mexico City and Michoacán areas
Also, winds of 150 to 180 km/h and waves of 6 to 8 meters are expected along the coasts of Guerrero and Oaxaca.
According to officials, the rains will cause power outages and may cause landslides, increase in the level of rivers and streams, as well as flooding and inundation in the affected states.
Méndez urged residents to take extreme precautions against the risk of storms, strong winds and waves. In addition, he insisted on following the recommendations of the National Civil Defense Organization in every area.
Guerrero stops classes at all levels due to Otis’ arrival
The Guerrero state government announced this Tuesday that it will suspend classes at all levels of education for Wednesday due to the proximity of Hurricane Otis, which is expected to make landfall that morning.
According to data from the Mexican Ministry of Public Education, the decision affects nearly a million students.
According to a statement by Guerrero’s secretary of education published on its profile on the social network Costa Rica, the warning has been extended to 81 municipalities in the state.
With information from Veronica Calderon
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