The Havana government has taken action in response to forecasts of heavy rainfall in western Cuba over the coming days, stating that their priority is to protect the lives of citizens.
"The models forecast intense rainfall. Havana is preparing to prevent the loss of human lives and material goods," said Lieutenant Colonel Yunier Hernández at a government meeting this Sunday.
The city of Havana has very vulnerable buildings, numerous areas that often flood with low rainfall accumulation, a lack of essential resources such as fuel, drinking water, food, and deficient public infrastructure.
In this context, compounded by the economic and energy crisis in the country, the authorities have chosen to be proactive. They began preparing to address the potential weather effects of Tropical Cyclone Potential 18.
It is important for the population to stay alert to the evolution of this weather phenomenon that continues to develop in the western Caribbean.
Forecasts indicate that it may develop into a tropical storm in the coming hours. As it moves forward, it is likely to make landfall in western Cuba as a hurricane this Wednesday. People should be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
What measures will the Havana government take to prevent flooding?
It is expected that one of the most significant impacts will be heavy rainfall and strong winds. The Government of Havana assures that it has already begun pruning public trees and dredging the rivers to deepen the riverbeds at their outlets.
In Malecón, drainage issues persist as water flows into the sea due to a sinkhole on C Street. This is one of the areas that is most often flooded in the capital during heavy rains.
The government emphasized that the population should stay informed through official channels. Announcements will be made as the weather phenomenon develops, but they warn that it is crucial for people to maintain discipline to prevent the loss of human lives.
The eastern region of Cuba recently endured Hurricane Oscar, which has left the towns in Guantánamo devastated. The authorities did not provide the total number of fatalities and missing persons.
It is estimated that entire families lost their lives in Guantánamo. The hurricane arrived amidst widespread blackouts that affected the country, and people were not well-informed. Many did not evacuate in time.
Residents of municipalities like San Antonio del Sur claim that the government has abandoned them to their fate, and subsequently, after the continued rainfall in the region, mass evacuations were initiated.
A natural disaster like the one that occurred in Guantánamo could lead to significant material losses and loss of human life in Havana. The regime wants to avoid a similar scenario in the capital, which is why they have started mobilizing since this past Sunday.
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