A colossal swell has been detected in the Pacific Ocean this morning, prompting British maritime experts to issue a tsunami warning for the coast of Mexico. The wave, which is being tracked by the UK's National Oceanography Centre, is approaching heights not seen in recorded history. For the working families of Mexico City, this is a threat that compounds a litany of economic woes.
The warning comes as the city's poorest neighbourhoods are already struggling with soaring food prices and stagnant wages. A tsunami of this magnitude could cripple the port of Veracruz, a critical artery for trade and the supply of basic goods. The cost of bread in Mexico City has risen by 12% this year alone. Another supply shock would be devastating.
Labour unions have called for emergency support for dockworkers and their families. The Union of Maritime Workers has demanded a safety net: compensation for lost hours and hazard pay for those on the front line. But the government's response has been slow. The Bank of Mexico, which was already wrestling with inflation, now faces a new economic shock.
The wave is expected to hit the coast within 24 hours. Scientists say the cause is a combination of seismic activity and unusual weather patterns. But for the millions living in the capital, the focus is on survival.
This is the real economy. Not the bluster of politicians or the stock market ticker, but the price of a kilo of tortillas, the security of a job, and the fear of a wave that could wash away everything. British experts are working with local authorities, but the resources are thin. The UK's Overseas Development Institute has warned that Mexico's disaster preparedness is critically underfunded.
For the families in the shantytowns on the city's outskirts, the threat is existential. They can't afford to flee. They can't afford to rebuild. They can only wait and hope. This is the story of our time: the gap between those who can weather the storm and those who are swept away.
