On the afternoon of this Saturday, a severe local storm hit the city of Bayamo with such intensity that it brought down branches, trees, and power poles, in addition to flooding various areas of the city, such as the Plaza de la Patria and the agricultural market in the Jesús Menéndez neighborhood.
The most significant damage occurred near the Artex headquarters, on Antonio Maceo Avenue, in the capital of Granma province, reported the official newspaper La Demajagua.
According to the media, forces from the Fire Department, the Telecommunications Company of Cuba (Etecsa), and the Electric Company responded to restore the damage, while the vice governor José Luis Vega Pérez and the leadership of the People's Power Headquarters in the province coordinated the recovery efforts.
He noted that the population also participated in tree cutting, debris removal, and support for the mobilized workers.
For her part, through her profile on Facebook, user Yanelkys Llera Céspedes shared images of what happened.
"This happened specifically on Antonio Maceo Avenue, behind my house. The electricity went out just before the two poles fell; I can't even imagine what would have happened otherwise," he wrote.
Likewise, the Granma Electric Company indicated through the social network itself that a team of line workers was engaged in repairing the power lines damaged by the severe local storm.
The climatic phenomenon adds to a series of extreme events that have struck several Cuban municipalities in recent months, already vulnerable due to the economic crisis and resource limitations to address emergencies.
A light drizzle was enough for several streets in Havana to be flooded this Saturday, highlighting the collapse of the sewage system, as reported by residents of the Cuban capital.
Strong gusts of wind battered the community of Vertientes, in the municipality of Maisí, Guantánamo, which caused the fall of trees, damage to crops, and harm to the roofs of several homes.
According to the official profile of Chely Tamayo, the weather event that occurred on Friday afternoon in the area of the La Ceiba cooperative caused serious damage to banana plantations, a crop essential for the local population's food supply.
Several families reported partial detachments from the roofs of their homes, although so far no injuries have been confirmed.
On August 23, a severe local storm struck the city of Santa Clara in Villa Clara, on Saturday afternoon, with linear wind gusts estimated to exceed 100 km/h, causing alarm among residents and damage in several areas.
The meteorologist Raydel Ruisánchez warned this Sunday about the presence of two troughs that will be creating unstable weather conditions over Cuba.
One of them is located in the southeast of the Gulf of Mexico, and the other is near the east of the country.
Both systems, combined with the intense daytime heating and abundant humidity at various layers of the troposphere, will create a favorable environment for rain, showers, and thunderstorms, mainly in the western region and in areas of the interior and southern parts of eastern Cuba, it was reported on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Storm in Bayamo and Its Consequences
What damage did the storm cause in Bayamo?
The storm in Bayamo caused fallen trees and electric poles, as well as flooding in several areas of the city. The most affected areas include Plaza de la Patria and the agricultural market in the Jesús Menéndez neighborhood. Damage was also reported on Antonio Maceo Avenue, particularly near the Artex headquarters.
How has the Cuban government responded to this emergency?
The Cuban government mobilized forces from the Fire Department, Etecsa, and the Electric Company to restore the affected services. Furthermore, Vice Governor José Luis Vega Pérez and the leadership of the Popular Power Directorate in Granma led the recovery efforts, while the local population also participated in cleanup activities and tree cutting.
What factors contribute to Bayamo's vulnerability to storms?
The economic crisis and resource limitations to deal with emergencies increase Bayamo's vulnerability to storms. Moreover, the deterioration of the urban drainage system and the lack of maintenance of the sewers exacerbate flooding in the city. These structural conditions, combined with atmospheric instability, create an environment prone to natural disasters.
What measures are being taken to prevent similar future events in Bayamo?
Until now, no concrete measures have been announced to prevent future similar events in Bayamo. The situation continues to raise concerns among citizens, who demand definitive solutions to the deteriorating urban sewer system. It is essential for the government to implement structural improvements to reduce vulnerability to extreme weather phenomena.
What is the current situation of the electricity system in Bayamo after the storm?
The electrical system in Bayamo was severely affected by the storm, with poles and power lines downed. The teams from the Electric Company of Granma are working to repair the damaged lines. The electrical situation in Cuba is critical, with a capacity deficit causing prolonged blackouts in various areas of the country.
Filed under: