The consequences of the severe local storm that occurred in Santa Clara on Saturday afternoon left more than 40% of the city and the municipalities of Placetas and Camajuaní without electricity, after affecting the Santa Clara Industrial substation, which is crucial for the supply in the region.
The blackout paralyzed entire neighborhoods and complicated care in hospitals, including the area where the main services operate, causing alarm among residents.
According to the official communicator Henry Omar Pérez, the phenomenon caused the collapse of 110 and 34.5 kilovolt lines, leaving several vital circuits out of operation. The outage severely impacted communities such as Maleza, Cebadero, and Latius, as well as sections of the Sandino district and the road to Camajuaní.
During the early morning hours, numerous users reported on social media an explosion near the generator sets located in the city, which heightened the concern of the residents.
However, Henry Omar Pérez later clarified that it was not an explosion, but rather a luminous arc caused by the contact of high-voltage cables in a 33 KV line. The glow was visible from several points in the city, which contributed to the confusion.
The power outage had an immediate impact on hospitals and care centers, which were left with interrupted services or operating under precarious conditions. Neighbors reported that some patients were put at risk due to delays in stabilizing the power supply in critical areas.
The teams from the Provincial Electric Company are working to restore the service, but the situation has once again highlighted the vulnerability of the Cuban electrical system to increasingly frequent and intense weather phenomena.
What happened in Santa Clara adds to a series of recent episodes of heavy rains, floods, and severe local storms in various provinces, confirming the increasing exposure of the population to atmospheric instability and the deterioration of national infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Blackout in Santa Clara
What caused the blackout in Santa Clara?
The blackout in Santa Clara was caused by a severe local storm that affected the Santa Clara Industrial substation, leading to the collapse of 110 and 34.5 kilovolt power lines. This situation left more than 40% of the city and the municipalities of Placetas and Camajuaní without electricity.
Was there an explosion during the blackout in Santa Clara?
No, there was no real explosion during the blackout in Santa Clara. The visible phenomenon was a light arc caused by the contact of high-voltage wires, which generated a glow that residents mistook for an explosion.
How did the blackout affect services in Santa Clara?
The blackout severely impacted services in hospitals and care centers, interrupting the power supply and complicating medical attention. Some patients were at risk due to the delay in restoring electricity in critical areas.
Why is the Cuban electric system so vulnerable?
The vulnerability of the Cuban electrical system is due to the lack of investment and maintenance in the infrastructure, as well as the scarcity of fuel and economic sanctions. These factors have led to significant deterioration, causing storms and other climatic phenomena to result in frequent blackouts.
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