Uncovered manholes, a deadly trap for children and residents in Cienfuegos

The corner of Avenue 58 and Street 61 in the La Juanita neighborhood of Cienfuegos has become a deadly open trap, where an uncovered sewer and the spill of wastewater contaminating sidewalks, streets, and gutters endanger the lives of residents and passersby.

Thus recognized the official newspaper 5 de Septiembre while describing the image of the daily spill, "just at dawn, when the supply of drinking water begins" and people start to carry out their household tasks and needs, which raises the level of wastewater until it overflows through the grates.

Instead of solutions, those affected receive evasive responses: that the problem lies in a central pipe and not in the access point; or that there is no fuel to pump the liquid and resolve the blockage.

The worst part, according to the news outlet, is that at the mentioned corner “the manhole cover has gone missing for unknown reasons.” The situation is worsened by the proximity of a primary school, located just 100 meters away. Children and their guardians must navigate this danger on a daily basis. It's not just a matter of sanitation, but a question of life and death.

Residents of the area have already voiced their complaints without any results. In a comment on the post, a citizen identified as Ernesto Parets noted that this is not an isolated case.

A similar situation occurs at the intersection of Gloria and Santa Elena streets, at the entrance of two primary schools, where the absence of a manhole cover creates a hole that is not visible, due to the amount of stagnant dirty water which further hinders students' access to these educational centers and the proper flow of both pedestrians and vehicles,” Parets reported.

Uncovered manholes remain a constant threat. By day, they expose their danger in routes frequented by children and teenagers; by night, they become camouflaged under the dark waters, lurking in wait for an unsuspecting pedestrian or cyclist.

With the rainy season about to begin, the situation is even more alarming: contaminated water could mix with drinking water, facilitating infectious outbreaks and impacting public health in the neighborhood.

The institutional silence and lack of action turn each absent cover into yet another testament to the urban decline that continues to exact its toll of anxiety, insecurity, and abandonment on citizens.

The tragedy that occurred in Havana on February 24, when a 13-year-old boy died after falling into an open drainage during a flood, has amplified reports concerning open drainage systems throughout the country, which have turned into deadly traps.

Numerous neighborhoods in Havana and other cities are flooded due to the poor state of the sewage systems, which are also filled with filth, due to social indiscipline, the crisis with waste collection, and the urban neglect in various areas. This situation has led to accidents resulting in injuries and fractures for many people.

Citizens' voices also point out the irresponsibility and indifference of government structures regarding maintenance, repairs, and cleaning of the sewage and drainage systems, as well as the filling of potholes in the streets.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sewage Crisis in Cienfuegos and Cuba