Description

Mexico receives an average annual rainfall of 740 mm, which are distributed in the hydrological cycle as follows: 72% evapotranspiration, 21% becomes runoff and 6% as aquifer recharge. Within the Mexican territory, exist a great diversity of climates and high spatial and temporal variability in water resources availability. In the period 2000–2015, damages from hydrometeorological phenomena in Mexico represented between 60 and 99% of total damages and losses at national level due to natural and socioorganizational events. Considering global climate change impact on the selection, design and implementation of flood control measures, represents a major challenge, since the level of certainty regarding its influence on the variables involved, remains insufficient. This chapter provides a description of the main elements directly linked to flooding in México, such as a high spatial and temporal variability in water resources availability and presence of tropical cyclones in both coasts and climate change. A brief summary of the main disasters caused by hydrometeorological phenomena, the annual cost of the damages, the main non‐structural measures for flood control and the intervention from the Mexican Institute of Water Technology in the use, development and spread of technology focused on flood risk management are also included.

Chapter