They issued a new alert for Mar de Fondo that could affect Guerrero and Chiapas

During the holiday period for Holy Week, Civil Protection of the State of Guerrero issued, for the second time, an alert for Mar de Fondo, so they are expected waves from 0.9 meters to 1.8 meters high in the beach areas and the coast of Guerrero.

Likewise, these waves are expected to prevail with a period of 12 to 15 seconds, with possible damage to Sinaloa and Chiapas, according to information from the Mexican Navy Secretariat, so the alert issued was issued from Monday, April 18, until next Thursday, April 21.

This natural phenomenon, in addition to causing high waves, could generate a possible rise in sea level, the presence of drag current, the reduction of the beach area, as well as the manifestation of storm surges.

Among the recommendations that Civil Protection issued are: avoid entering the sea if there are red flags; removing street shops that are close to the sea; removing furniture from the beach area and avoiding water or sports activities at sea, in order to prevent incidents that threaten the physical integrity of tourists and bathers.

Likewise, it is not recommended to walk on the sandstrip, while for the hotel and restaurant sector, it was suggested to place red banners in the beach areas and remove palapas and other furniture near the sea. Meanwhile, sailors on small boats were asked to be aware of the indications issued by the Port Master's Office and by the municipal authorities.

On the other hand, Civil Protection of Nayarit indicated that the breakwater area of the Muelle Bahía de Matanchen beach, as well as the FIBBA, Manzanilla and Villa Varadero beaches in the municipality of Bahía de Banderas have a yellow flag, so you can enter the sea as long as the recommended precautions are exercised.

It should be recalled that an alert had previously been issued by Mar de Fondo for 13, 14 and 15 April that could cause high waves of up to 2.4 meters of height with a period of 15 to 17 seconds along the entire coast of Guerrero, mainly affecting Guerrero, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Michoacán, Jalisco and Colima.

According to the National Center for Disaster Prevention (Cenapred), the Sea of the Background is a natural phenomenon composed of a long and continuous wave that is generated by the action of storm winds in the sea and travels along the Pacific Ocean, generating waves up to 2.7 meters high.

Although it can happen all year round, from May to November is the period in which it is regularly presented. The states most affected by this phenomenon are: Baja California Sur, Colima, Chiapas, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán and Nayarit.

On the other hand, Cenapred explains that “the 'bottom' comes from the idea that it is generated in remote waters where the depths are great”, which does not mean that the Sea of Bottom is generated below the surface. Its main difference from a tsunami is that the latter is caused by earthquakes at the bottom of the sea.

If you are washed away by the Sea of the Background, it is recommended, mainly, to remain calm (since these waves do not sink, they only keep bathers away from the coast), to swim parallel to the shore (do not swim against the current). If possible, get out of the stream swimming diagonally and attract the attention of the beach lifeguards.

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