Mexican soldiers and rescue workers on Thursday scrambled to clear up the chaos and devastation wrought by Hurricane Otis in Acapulco as the government worked to bring relief to the battered southern beach resort.

Otis on Wednesday slammed into Acapulco in the state of Guerrero as one of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit Mexico’s Pacific coast, flooding streets, ripping roofs off homes and hotels, and severing communications, road and air access.

The number remains unclear: downed phone service and electricity lines have made it hard for officials to assess the extent of the damage, with no immediate reports of fatalities as of Wednesday evening.

Nearly 8,400 members of Mexico’s army, air force and national guard were deployed in and near Acapulco to assist in cleanup efforts, the defense ministry said.

Classes were canceled for students across the state for a second day, and Governor Evelyn Salgado said on social media that authorities were working to restore electricity and reactivate drinking water pumps in Acapulco.

“The full extent of the wind, storm surge and rainfall damage in Guerrero will emerge over the coming days,” Moody’s Risk Management Solutions said in a note.

Mexico’s state power utility CFE had over 1,300 employees working to restore power, it said on Wednesday evening, when some 300,000 people remained without electricity.

The main highway connecting Acapulco with Mexico City was expected to be fully open by midday, Deputy Transportation Minister Rogelio Jimenez Pons told reporters, noting the impact of mudslides.

The port city’s international airport was closed, after Otis wrecked the control tower, cut telecommunications, and left access roads blocked.

“Now a Category 5 hurricane in Acapulco takes us by surprise,” Jimenez Pons said. “It’s unprecedented.”

Trashing the allegations against his son Vaibhav Gehlot, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today laughed off a question on whether his son has links with Jaipur’s luxury hotel Fairmont. “I don’t know about Vaibhav’s hotel, he has never asked me to stay there. Why doesn’t Vaibhav offer me complimentary stay at Fairmont if it is his hotel?” he scoffed at an interaction with media.

Vaibhav Gehlot was today summoned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with alleged violations of foreign exchange rules. He has been asked to appear before the agency in Jaipur or Delhi tomorrow.

The summons have been issued in connection with ED’s investigation against hospitality group Triton Hotels & Resorts Pvt. Ltd., Vardha Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. and its directors and promoters Shiv Shankar Sharma and Rattan Kant Sharma, among others. The ED had seized Rs 1.2 crore in cash during the searches last month. The Triton group, it is alleged, received investment from a Mauritius entity back in 2007-2008. 

The ED is likely to question Vaibhav Gehlot on his alleged links with Rattan Kant Sharma. It is worth pointing out here that under FEMA, the probe agency cannot make arrests; it can only impose penalties.  

Rejecting the allegations against his son, Mr Gehlot today said Vaibhav has no foreign exchange dealings. “Vaibhav Gehlot only has a taxi company. Rattan (Kant Sharma) was a partner, but they work separately now,” he said.

Mr Gehlot also hit out at the central agence for issuing a short notice summons. “Is this a joke?” he said.

The Rajasthan Chief Minister said central agency have lost their credibility due to the alleged misuse by BJP-led central government.

“Central agencies have no credibility now. It is a worrying situation. This is not about my son or the state Congress president. Aatank macha rakha hai desh mein (they have spread terror in the country),” he said.

The ED today also conducted searches on the premises of Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra, and Congress MLA and candidate Omprakash Hudla in connection with the paper leak case.

Mr Gehlot said the ED’s actions come right after the Congress’ poll guarantees ahead of next month’s election.

“Date 25/10/23: Congress launches guarantees for women of Rajasthan. Date 26/10/23: ED raid on Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Ji Dotasra. Summon to my son Vaibhav Gehlot to appear before ED.”

“Now you can understand what I have been saying that ED’s raids are happening in Rajasthan because the BJP does not want women, farmers and the poor in Rajasthan to get the benefit of the guarantees given by the Congress,” he posted on X.

As the Israel-Hamas conflict persists, the challenges faced by women, children, and elderly individuals have grown significantly. However, amidst this ongoing war, a remarkable event unfolded as a baby was delivered through an emergency caesarean section, not far from the remains of her home in the Gaza Strip.

Navine Abu Owdah, a 30-year-old woman, was rescued from the debris of her former apartment earlier this week. She had sustained multiple fractures and was experiencing abdominal bleeding due to an airstrike on her residence in the small enclave, which is now in its 19th day of being under siege.

According to The Metro News, she was rushed to a hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have been fleeing after orders from Israeli forces to evacuate from the north. Doctors quickly performed a C-section and managed to deliver a ‘healthy’ baby girl.

“A caesarean section was performed in the emergency department, and her baby girl, who is in good condition, was delivered,” Dr Salim Saqer, the head of surgery at Nasser Hospital, said. Ms Owdah currently remains under observation and is receiving treatment for her injuries.

Meanwhile, a few days ago, UN agencies issued a statement highlighting that the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict is leading to severe shortages of essential resources such as food, water, and fuel in Gaza. This crisis is particularly affecting pregnant individuals and those who have recently given birth.

About 50,000 people are estimated to be pregnant in Gaza, with about 160 estimated to give birth every day, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Additionally, an estimated 73,000 people are pregnant in the West Bank, with more than 8,000 expected to give birth within the next month, the UNFPA said.

Experts said pregnant women and new mothers are facing life-threatening challenges to accessing safe care, putting their health and the health of their babies at risk.