Mexico deploys 20,000 responders as Typhoon Polo hits Pacific coast

Typhoon Polo is impacting the Pacific coast of Mexico, bringing heavy rainfall and high waves to several states. The storm has weakened from a Category 5 to a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale and is moving slowly parallel to the coastline. The National Hurricane Center predicts a progressive weakening of the phenomenon starting Friday or Saturday.

The Mexican federal government has deployed over 19,800 members of security forces and emergency services to the states of Colima, Jalisco, Guerrero, Nayarit, and Michoacán. Significant damage has been reported in Lázaro Cárdenas, a major industrial city and port in Michoacán, where storm surges and mud have affected coastal areas.

Meteorologists note that this year's hurricane season is expected to be particularly intense due to the El Niño phenomenon, which raises ocean surface temperatures and facilitates storm formation.