Authorities in the province of Guantánamo reported on Wednesday that over 11,000 homes were damaged by Hurricane Oscar as it passed through eastern Cuba more than a week ago.
The preliminary report on the disaster caused by Oscar during the more than 24 hours it struck the province of Guantánamo was presented by the Provincial Defense Council (CDP) at a meeting held in Baracoa with the head of state, Miguel Díaz-Canel, and several ministers.
In total, 11,402 homes were damaged, according to the official count cited by the provincial newspaper Venceremos. There were 257 total collapses, 360 partial collapses, and 9,198 houses lost part of their roofs.
During a visit to the municipality of Imías on Wednesday, Díaz-Canel addressed the population and warned that, among the damages caused by the hurricane, the recovery of homes will be the most delayed.
In addition to the devastation in the housing sector of the eastern province, which "suffered the greatest damages," there are also losses in 627 state institution facilities, primarily in the commerce sector, with 183 affected establishments; public health, with 71; and education, culture, and sports, with 210 impacts.
A report from the local station Radio Baracoa indicated that eight national interest roads were damaged in Guantánamo, of which seven have already been restored, and noted that only the La Máquina-Imías road remains to be repaired.
According to official statistics, 986 people remain evacuated, out of more than 3,000 sheltered in state institutions and neighbors' homes, mainly from Baracoa, noted Venceremos, adding that the vast majority have returned to their homes.
The CDP reported that power outages continue in the region due to the collapse of 98 poles—of which 27 are broken—in the four affected municipalities (San Antonio del Sur, Imías, Baracoa, and Maisí) and due to damaged transformers.
Until yesterday, more than 56,000 customers were still without electricity, while about 35,000 already had this basic service restored. The note from Radio Baracoa states that “efforts are being made for the province to complete the reconnection of all customers this week.”
According to the authorities, 69 generators are operating in isolated communities to alleviate the generation deficit, with "fuel supplies lasting from five to 15 days," which "will be replenished within the week." Generators also provide power to the main food production centers, public health facilities, and other services.
Regarding the water supply, the CDP indicated that out of the 82 aqueduct systems located in the eastern municipalities of Guantánamo, 43 were damaged, which affects approximately 35,818 residents.
Meanwhile, damage has been reported in agriculture affecting 13,255 hectares of bananas, coconuts, coffee, cacao, fruit trees, and forestry, with coffee experiencing particularly significant losses. In light of this critical situation, 75.6 tons of food have been sent from other provinces to help alleviate the deficit.
The Provincial Defense Council of Guantánamo announced the decision to "release from reserve at the Baracoa Production Center 408 sacks of coal (7.5 tons) and distribute them for cooking food and selling to the most vulnerable population."
Additionally, it was reported that 14 national and international donations have been received, nine of which were sent by the World Food Programme of the United Nations (UN).
The UN aims to raise 33 million dollars to alleviate the damage caused by Hurricane Oscar in the province of Guantánamo, where it wreaked havoc on infrastructure, homes, and farmland.
Oscar, the first hurricane to directly impact Cuba in the current cyclone season, made landfall very close to the coastal city of Baracoa on Sunday, October 20, as a Category 1 (out of 5) on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The system weakened to a tropical storm before leaving the country the following day near Gibara, in the province of Holguín.
During the more than 24 hours that it impacted the region, its torrential rains, which recorded record figures, caused unprecedented flooding, landslides, and river overflows.
As a result of the weather phenomenon, the government reported the death of eight people, seven in San Antonio del Sur and one in Imías, while two others remain missing, according to the latest report released this Wednesday.
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