La monsoon trough in Hidalgo The event that occurred in October left behind a complex situation: similar phenomena, such as the trough in VeracruzAnd thousands of people affected, infrastructure damaged, and communities still adapting to a new normal. State authorities have had to reorganize budgets, timelines, and priorities to respond to an emergency that has extended far beyond the initial rainfall.
While the adjustments are being made state and federal resources intended for reconstruction, also affected by phenomena such as tropical waves 9 and 10Residents of the areas hit by the storm are hoping that the promised aid and infrastructure projects will result in passable roads, safe housing, and restored basic services. Meanwhile, temporary measures have been implemented in education, housing, and social welfare to prevent the emergency from escalating into an even larger structural problem.
Economic and social impact of the monsoon trough in Hidalgo
The state government estimates that total cost of reconstruction due to the rains The damage associated with the monsoon trough could range between 8 and 10 billion pesos, a figure that reflects the magnitude of the damage in municipalities and communities across various regions of Hidalgo. These projections have been refined based on technical surveys, landslide analyses, and ongoing field assessments.
According to the authorities, the reconstruction covers from roads and highways This includes drinking water systems, health centers, and schools. The impact has not been limited to a single sector, but has severely affected people's mobility, the provision of essential services, and the social fabric of the most vulnerable communities.
In that context, the governor of Hidalgo, Julio Menchaca Salazar, has emphasized that the variation in the projected amounts will not halt the start of construction. The state administration assures that it has the necessary funds. resources ready to start The work will continue this January, while the final quantities required throughout the process are being determined.
The monsoon trough has also put significant pressure on public finances. The closing of the 2025 fiscal year forced a... budget adjustment which has had direct effects on the speed with which economic support is dispersed to the affected population, as well as on the scheduling of rehabilitation works.
Resources for reconstruction and the start of works
To launch the first interventions, the Hidalgo government has allocated a initial fund close to 600 million pesosThis money will be used to address the most urgent damage, especially to basic infrastructure, across several municipalities impacted by the monsoon trough.
La Secretariat of Public Infrastructure and Sustainable Urban Development (SIPDUS) It will be responsible for coordinating and carrying out the works, which include the rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads, highways, at least 30 bridges considered strategic, as well as drinking water networks, schools, and health centers. The goal is to restore connectivity between regions and ensure that public services return to normal operation.
Within this package of shares, the damaged bridges These structures are considered a priority, as their destruction or deterioration has left several areas virtually isolated or with very limited access. Restoring these structures will be key to revitalizing the local economy, facilitating the movement of goods, and ensuring that aid reaches the most remote areas.
At the same time, a detailed census is being prepared of affected houses due to the monsoon trough. The Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (Sedatu) is tasked with registering damaged properties and determining which families will not be able to return to their former settlements because they are classified as high-risk areas. For these families, a plan of alternative housing solutions is being designed, with the intention of minimizing their exposure to future disasters.
On the financial front, the Hidalgo government has received a commitment that there will be sufficient federal resources to support the reconstruction, both in this state and in other entities of the country impacted by intense weather phenomena during the same period. Although the exact amount allocated to Hidalgo has not yet been made public, this support will allow for expanded coverage of the works and strengthen programs aimed at the affected families.
Financial support for victims: cards and delays
One of the most sensitive issues for the population has been the delivery of direct support to the people affected by the monsoon storm in Hidalgo. The original plan called for the distribution of cards between December 8 and 12, 2025, but a budget adjustment and the closing dates of the fiscal year have forced the delivery to be rescheduled for 2026.
The Secretary of Welfare and Social Inclusion (Sebiso) of Hidalgo, Ricardo Gómez Moreno, explained that, as the end of the year approaches, It was not possible to complete it on time. the necessary administrative processes to release the funds. Furthermore, a new joint analysis with the state Finance Ministry modified the scope of the program, expanding the number of anticipated beneficiaries.
Initially, the figure was around 10 people, but a review of the data determined that ultimately only one will be served. average of 15 victimswith a total fund of 155 million pesos. This increase in the number of beneficiaries has required additional planning and budget reallocation efforts from the state government.
The support is part of the program for the Well-being and DevelopmentThese payments consist of four deposits of 2.500 pesos each, totaling 10.000 pesos per affected person. Although the payments will be made in 2026, authorities have emphasized that these are funds committed since the 2025 fiscal year and, therefore, this is not a new program, but rather the fulfillment of a previously made commitment.
Starting in the second week of January, Sebiso plans to define the logistics and exact deposit datesso that beneficiaries know when they can access the money. This planning will include coordination with banking institutions, validation of beneficiary lists, and communication with the most remote communities to ensure that the aid reaches those who truly need it.
Education: Back to school and damaged schools
In the educational sphere, the monsoon trough in Hidalgo left a significant toll of schools with major and severe damageHowever, the Hidalgo State Ministry of Public Education (SEPH) has confirmed that all students at all educational levels, including those living in communities affected by the phenomenon, will return to classes on Monday, January 12.
The head of the SEPH, Natividad Castrejón Valdez, indicated that, since December, Most students had already resumed activities in classrooms, although in some cases it was necessary to temporarily relocate them to nearby schools where there were safe conditions and sufficient space to accommodate them. This student movement has also been coordinated with the educational services of the National Council for Educational Development (Conafe), which has practically restored its operations.
According to the latest data, the list of schools with serious damage The monsoon trough reduced the number of damaged schools to 46 by the end of December, following cleanup, inspection, and infrastructure assessment at all reported schools. Even so, between 9 and 11 schools remain completely destroyed, primarily in municipalities like Tianguistengo and Huehuetla, and will need to be rebuilt from scratch.
For students in these areas, the SEPH (State Secretariat of Public Education) has established alternatives for them to begin or continue the school year at other nearby schools or in places where their families have moved. The official instruction is that no student should be left without a school and that their entry be facilitated wherever they have been relocated, in order to minimize the educational and emotional impact of losing their original school.
The teaching staff and administrative personnel have also resumed their responsibilities. Members of the Hidalgo teaching profession returned to their duties on January 7According to the 2025-2026 school calendar, to participate in intensive workshops of the Technical Council, first with supervisors and sector heads, and then with directors and teachers of the affected schools.
Perspectives and challenges after the monsoon trough
The measures implemented so far show that the response to the monsoon trough in Hidalgo The response is being carried out on several fronts: infrastructure reconstruction, financial support for affected families, educational relocation, and planning for new housing for those who can no longer return to their former settlements. However, the process is far from over and significant challenges remain.
One of the challenges is ensuring that the committed resources These measures must be implemented swiftly and transparently, so that projects don't remain just plans and aid arrives without excessive delays. The increase in the estimated total cost, from 8 billion to 10 billion pesos, necessitates careful budget management and effective coordination between state and federal agencies.
Another key point is attention to the risk areasAuthorities have made it clear that some families will not be able to return to their pre-storm homes due to the dangerous terrain and the possibility of further landslides or flooding. Designing viable and acceptable housing alternatives for these people involves not only building houses but also providing them with the conditions to rebuild their lives in safer environments.
In the education sector, the success of the return to classes will depend on continued monitoring of the schools relocated and under reconstructionEnsuring sufficient materials, teachers, and adequate spaces to avoid overcrowding. Coordination with communities will be essential to prevent children and young people from dropping out of school due to changes of address or transportation difficulties.
Despite the complexity of the scenario, the actions already underway —from the initial allocation of 600 million pesos for urgent works to the expansion of the registry of beneficiaries of direct support— point to a strategy that seeks to gradually close gaps. Reconstruction after the monsoon trough in Hidalgo It will be a prolonged process, in which both the resilience of the communities and the institutional capacity to respond effectively to an emergency that has marked a before and after in the state will be at stake.
