Severe Flooding in Eastern Cuba Leads to Evacuations and Infrastructure Damage
Following an intense weekend of heavy rains, eastern Cuba is grappling with significant flooding that has resulted in the evacuation of over 18,000 people, affecting 17 localities, reports 24brussels.
Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero confirmed the loss of two lives linked to the adverse weather and urged residents to stay informed through official channels while participating in recovery efforts as conditions improve. Many regions, particularly Guantánamo and Santiago de Cuba, are conducting damage assessments.
In Guantánamo province, rainfall exceeded 200 mm, leading to extreme flooding in areas like San Antonio del Sur, where six homes collapsed and 22 electrical circuits were severely damaged. The situation has forced authorities to suspend classes and repurpose educational facilities for evacuees.
Recovering from these floods comes amidst efforts by workers from Ferrocarriles de Cuba, who are addressing damage along the central rail line due to the flooding of the Gascón River. While train operations were suspended, local sources indicate that services may resume shortly as conditions stabilize.
In Santiago de Cuba, schools were temporarily closed; however, classes resumed on Tuesday morning as recovery efforts continued. Local reservoirs, now at 65.4% capacity, hold around 458 million cubic meters of water due to the rainfall, marking a crucial shift after a prolonged period of drought.
The rainfall brought relief to the region, yet its impact has disrupted the lives of many residents. Authorities remain vigilant in monitoring the situation and providing support to affected areas.