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Deadly storms batter Mexico from both sides

By CNN Staff
September 16, 2013 -- Updated 2103 GMT (0503 HKT)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • At least 34 people have been reported killed in the stormy onslaught
  • Hurricane Ingrid made landfall on the Gulf Coast; Tropical Storm Manuel drenched the Pacific
  • It's rare for Mexico to have major storms on both coasts at once

Editor's note: Read more about this developing story in Spanish at CNNMéxico.com

(CNN) -- Mexico grappled Monday with a deadly double-punch of tropical weather.

Heavy rains caused by Hurricane Ingrid on the country's Gulf Coast and Tropical Storm Manuel on the Pacific Coast have left at least 34 dead and more than one million homeless.

On the Pacific side of things, 15 people died in Guerrero and one person died in Oaxaca, said a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry of Mexico during a press conference earlier Monday. On the Gulf side, 12 were killed after a landslide in Veracruz. Inland, three died in Hidalgo and three in Puebla.

The rains caused by Ingrid and Manuel have affected more than 1 million people. The southwestern state of Guerrero is the hardest hit with 15 killed and 238,000 homeless.

Hurricane Ingrid weakened to a tropical storm Monday morning as it made landfall at around 7 a.m. local time near La Pesca, Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said.

Ingrid is moving west at 8 mph and is expected to turn west-southwest Monday night, according to the National Hurricane Center's latest report.

Track Ingrid's progress

"Ingrid is expected to become a Tropical Depression later today, and to dissipate on Tuesday," NHC said on its website.

Manuel dissipated overnight Monday, but heavy rain continued along the country's southwestern coast.

David Korenfeld, National Water Commission of Mexico's general director, said Mexico hasn't been hit by two simultaneous major storms on each coast since 1958.

Given the magnitude of the disaster, President Enrique Pena Nieto asked member of his cabinet to coordinate rescue and relief efforts in various states of the country.

On Sunday, before Ingrid's landfall, several municipalities in Tamaulipas state suspended the Independence Day celebrations and parades.

CNNMexico.com's Laura Reyes and Rodrigo Soberanes contributed with this report

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