Migrant rescues along US-Mexico border climb amid sweltering heat and high water levels

El Paso, Texas (CNN) - In the roaring waters of the canal, first responders train for the worst: migrants who have been swept away while trying to cross the US-Mexico border.

The canal, which runs for miles along the international border, is intended to get water to farmers during the summer months.

But as migrants try to cross into the United States, the canal also poses a unique danger, with high water levels and a fast-moving current.

"You get pushed underneath. You get pushed out," said Kris Menendez, captain of the El Paso Fire Department water rescue team. "It could mean life or death. No doubt."

Authorities say there have been eight deaths here in the span of a week, signaling a grim outlook for the summer as migrants head to the border in extreme conditions.

Between Saturday and Sunday, three more bodies were recovered from the canal.

"The canals are deeper than they appear and often have a significant water current and undertow this time of year as water is released from reservoirs upstream for irrigation purposes," a June 11 news release from US Customs and Border Protection said. "The risk is not worth the loss of human life."

Already, rescues across the US southern border have outpaced those of the last fiscal year.

Since October, there have been more than 14,000 searches and rescues along the US southern border, according to US Customs and Border Protection.

That's up from 12,833 in fiscal year 2021, with more than three months left to go.

Border officials are on high alert, issuing warnings about the oppressive desert heat and crossing dangerous waters.

This week, CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus warned of the extreme conditions this time of year, which can put migrants attempting to cross the border at greater risk.

"As temperatures start to rise in the summer, human smugglers will continue to exploit vulnerable populations and recklessly endanger the lives of migrants for financial gain," Magnus said in a statement.

"The terrain along the Southwest Border is extreme, the summer heat is severe, and the miles of desert that migrants must hike after crossing the border are unforgiving."

Migrants will also try to climb over the border wall and fall in the process.

In the El Paso sector, there were more than 229 injuries from October through May from those falls, ranging from ankle injuries to brain injuries.

Agents try to render aid themselves and take migrants to hospitals if necessary.

Despite the dangers, migrants still try to cross the US southern border, often to seek refuge.

Last month, CBP stopped nearly 240,000 migrants along the US-Mexico border, marking a record high and 2% increase compared with April, according to agency data.