A potent storm that struck Lake Chapala’s north shore around dawn on Thursday, July 12 provoked flooding and landslides in the vicinity of El Chante on the eastern outskirts of Jocotepec.
Muddy water, rocks and debris swept down the steep hillside, blocking the stretch of highway between El Limón and Chaptepec and causing damage to 24 homes in the densely built Senderos del Lago subdivision.
Initial reports from Civil Protection authorities on the scene indicated that no human injuries occurred during the incident.
The evacuation of householders was not necessary since most of the affected Senderos properties are second homes owned and occupied by weekend visitors.
According to Guadalajara news reports, 164 officers and troops from nearby Mexican Army barracks helped in the cleanup and rescue effort Thursday. They used 42 vehicles and many pieces of heavy machinery to carry out the work, and also had 12 transport vehicles on hand to assist victims if needed.
The area between San Juan Cosalá and Jocotepec is prone to landslide incidents, particularly at heavily populated points in the foothills where urban development has been allowed to encroach upon creek beds that are natural pathways for summer storm run-off.
Similar risks apply to many homes built on mountain slopes overlooking Ajijic and the Libramiento bypass at San Antonio Tlayacapan.