The intense rains recorded on Tuesday afternoon and evening in Havana caused sudden flooding that turned several streets into rivers filled with garbage, hindering the movement of pedestrians and vehicles.
Videos published by activist Adelth Bonne demonstrate the magnitude of the phenomenon in the capital, where the water swept away a large amount of garbage.
According to the weather reports from Raydel Ruisánchez, the station in Mariel, in the neighboring province of Artemisa, recorded 58.2 millimeters of precipitation in just one hour, accompanied by gusts of wind up to 67 km/h. Similar situations were reported in Güira de Melena and in the Cuban capital.
Authorities have warned that there is a high risk of sudden flooding in low-lying areas and areas with poor drainage, so they advised taking extra precautions.
Residents of Havana neighborhoods such as Centro Habana and Diez de Octubre shared images and testimonies about the accumulation of waste carried by the currents, highlighting the vulnerability of the urban sanitation system during episodes of heavy rain.
The specialists from the Institute of Meteorology forecast that the rainfall and thunderstorms could continue throughout the day on Wednesday, so the monitoring of the situation in Havana and nearby provinces will remain ongoing.
The INSMET warned that it will become overcast across the entire national territory with some showers, rain, and thunderstorms, which will be numerous in the west and center. These rains will continue until late evening and may be heavy in some areas.
Winds will be from the northeast to the east, with speeds between 10 and 25 kilometers per hour, reaching up to 30 kilometers per hour in coastal areas during the afternoon, with higher gusts.
The climatic phenomenon is accompanied in the capital by a widespread blackout, making life even more difficult for the residents.
Havana suffered a day of disruptions this Tuesday, with a deficit of 220 MW that left six complete blocks of the city without service.
Since this Tuesday, blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, have been turned off, without specifying the exact areas. In practice, except for the prioritized areas, almost the entire city remains without electrical service at this time.
The outage adds to the series of prolonged and systematic blackouts that have affected the island throughout 2025, with severe consequences for the daily lives of Cubans.
Frequently Asked Questions About Floods and Power Outages in Havana
What caused the recent floods in Havana?
The recent floods in Havana were caused by intense rainfall that turned several streets into rivers of trash. The accumulation of water was exacerbated by the city's inadequate drainage system, which is a recurring vulnerability in Havana's urban sanitation system.
How do the rains affect the drainage system of Havana?
The drainage system in Havana is inadequate and vulnerable, which causes heavy rains to lead to significant flooding. The accumulation of garbage and structural issues exacerbate the situation, turning streets into rivers and impacting the mobility of vehicles and pedestrians.
What measures have the authorities taken in response to the risk of flooding?
Authorities have warned about the high risk of sudden flooding in low-lying areas and have recommended taking extra precautions. However, no specific measures have been mentioned to improve the drainage system or prevent future flooding.
What is the relationship between the rains and the blackouts in Havana?
Rain and blackouts are two distinct problems that simultaneously affect Havana. While the rain causes flooding due to the poor drainage system, the blackouts are due to a significant energy deficit that has left a large part of the city without electricity service. Both phenomena complicate the daily lives of Havanans.
What impact do power outages have on the daily lives of people in Havana?
Blackouts severely impact daily life in Havana, affecting domestic, work, and educational activities. The lack of electricity makes it impossible to preserve food, use medical equipment, and sleep properly, exacerbated by the high summer temperatures. This situation causes significant distress among the population.
Filed under: